Drum Major RANK badge, small crown or large?

[grumpy]

Please can anyone confirm that drum majors as sergeants can be promoted to staff sgt and then WO 2, and that the distinction [other than chevrons and drum] is small crown, large crown?

I have CR 1966 which says so, but when did this begin, and is it still current please?

I suspect that some regiments/ corps might use metal versus worsted, or whatever.

I suppose one reason it matters is that the drum major WO2 needs to be called sir!

Lastly, I believe the senior drum major of Foot Guards can be a WO 1, and not wear any badge except royal arms in 2 dress?

Thank you for your patience.

[Mike H]

Drum,pipe,bugle and trumpet major can be a full corporal.
The crown denotes Staff or WO2 dependant on size.

[Postwarden]

From my book.

Jon

At the end of December 1950 by ACI 940dated 30th December. bugle-majors, drum-majors, pipe-majors and trumpet-majors who wore on the cuff four inverted chevrons surmounted by the appropriate badge of appointment were, if promoted to Staff-Sergeant or WOII, permitted to add small or large crowns between the chevrons and the badge of appointment; RE bugle-majors continued to wear their special badge of appointment on the four chevrons with a large or small crown added above them.

[grey_green_acorn]

Here are rank slides for The Rifles Bugle Major in the rank of Serjeant, Colour Serjeant and WO2.

Also in No2 Dress

Tim

[grumpy]

Many thanks gentlemen. Mostly sorted!
Please does anyone know about possible WO 1 for the most senior drum major in the Guards brigade?

[Panther1]

You do not need to be a WO in the Guards to be called "Sir", you only need to hold an appointment. The Pioneer Sgt, LADSSgt, RAPTC SSgt were all Sirs and I'm sure there were others.
The only WO1 Drum Major I met was at ITC Catterick were the Drummers course was held, cannot remember the correct name for course/sub-unit.

Cheers
Tom

[grey_green_acorn]

WO2 Drum Major Grenadier Guards 1994.
His large crown badge of rank is worn above the elbow!

Tim

[grumpy]

Thanks to all. I believe Guards Csgts/ Pay sgts are also Sir.

[grenadierguardsman]

Originally Posted by grumpy

Thanks to all. I believe Guards Csgts/ Pay sgts are also Sir.

Thats right Grumpy.
Andy

[manchesters]

Originally Posted by grey_green_acorn

WO2 Drum Major Grenadier Guards 1994.
His large crown badge of rank is worn above the elbow!

Tim

Superb, thats the longest rank/appointment badge I have ever seen.

Very impressive.

regards

[grumpy]

aided and abetted by the grenade and crossed swords, inherited from the full dress colour badge.

Some cavalry rank/appointment badges might rival it for length up the arm. Think bandmaster with WO1 badge, band badge and regimental distinction.

Or Highland pipe major, some with massive regimental badge in addition to 4 chevrons.

[manchesters]

I am glad my collecting interest doesnt extend to post KC period badges, its slightly simpler to understand rank & appointment badges.

The notion of WO's also wearing chevrons I find very confusing. Looks good though.

regards

[Hawthorn]

Have to say I am surprised that this array of badges is permitted in any order of dress, regulations obviously change with time and Regiment. I left the Coldstream Guards in 1992 and never saw anything like this, interesting.

Simon.

[grumpy]

Originally Posted by manchesters

I am glad my collecting interest doesnt extend to post KC period badges, its slightly simpler to understand rank & appointment badges.

The notion of WO's also wearing chevrons I find very confusing. Looks good though.

regards

Add to which the newish GSM London badge, a throwback to the old Sergeant major 4 chevrons with royal arms superimposed.