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Old 07-04-21, 06:04 PM
grumpy grumpy is offline
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[QUOTE=Padre;545234]Thanks Grumpy

(In October 1918, wouldn't that be CQMS (IE Warrant Officer 2nd Class Quartermaster) as opposed to RQMS (Warrant Officer 1st Class Quartermaster)?

Keeping matters simple, for infantry:
Definitely RQMS crown and wreath.
The history is thus: until the 1913/14 change from 8 companies to 4 companies, the senior other rank in the rifle company was a colour sergeant, 3 chevrons and crown. At unit HQ those with rank above him were the QMS 4 chevrons and star, and possibly the Orderly Room Clerk, 4 chevrons only. Their "rank" was QMS. Above them were warrant officers, SM with crown, bandmaster with special band badge, and schoolmaster [not on active service].

With 4 companies, the 4 senior colour sergeants were given an extra 6d, kept the same badge for a few months, and became CSM. The 4 juniors had no change and became CQMS.

In Jan 1915 a whole raft of soldiers became the new WO Class II, including the QMS level, and the colour sergeants appointed CSMs. The badges were promulgated in May 1915, but the [R]QMS was lumped in with the CSMs to wear the crown only. In October 1918 the RQMS added the wreath.

Thus, between losing the four chevrons and star 1915, and gaining the wreath 1918, there was no distinction for the RQMS, except he probably was a bit older and better fed.

In 1915 Class II comprised:
Master Gunner 3rd Class
Army Schoolmaster if not a warrant officer
Garrison Quartermaster Sergeant
Quartermaster Corporal-Major
Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant (RQMS)
Squadron Corporal-Major
Squadron Sergeant-Major (SSM)
Battery Sergeant-Major
Troop Sergeant-Major
Company Sergeant-Major (CSM)
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