QMS badge

[DavidS]

Anyone give me some info on what I take to be a Canadian QMS (Quartermaster Sergeant) badge, a KC crown surrounded by an oval wreath of maple leaves? This seems a large badge, about 2 1/4" x 1 5/8" or so. Was it worn as a cap badge or as a sleeve rank badge?

[2747andy]

David,
I do not collect Canadian however most likely to be a sleeve badge not a cap!

Andy

[Bill A]

Hello David, Is the badge brass or white metal, or fabric?
Sounds like a Warrant Officer 2nd Class rank badge. As Andy says it would be worn as a sleeve badge. The metal rank badges were most often worn with the khaki summer drill uniforms, though once and awhile you come across a photo on battledress or service dress with metal WO2 badges. There were also wristlets made for WO2 rank badges, to be worn in shirt sleeve orders of dress.
QMS sergeant is an appointment for which the individual would have the rank of WO2. Another appointment for which WO2 rank was held was Company Sgt Major.

[DavidS]

Bill: It's a w.m. lugged badge. I take it these would be worn in pairs?

[Bill A]

Hello David, Yes they would be worn in pairs.

[Wyn vdSchee]

My recollection, and it may be incorrect, is that the WO2 metal badge worn on a leather wrist band was only worn on one arm, the right. Cloth WO2 badges worn on battle dress and service dress, below the elbow btw, were worn on both sleeves. WO2s in some regiments wore white metal badges of rank on service dress and battle dress, but I can't recall which ones.
Squadron/battery/company quartermaster sergeants were ranked as staff sergeants and wore a crown above three chevrons, between the elbow and the shoulder. With shirt sleeve order, the cloth rank badge was worn on an armlet, again only on the right arm if my recollection is correct, below the cloth regimental title and the formation sign.
Wyn

[rillette]

Bill, Wyn, like this? Cropped from a June '43 Group Picture.

François

[Bill A]

Hi François, That is a different set-up. The ones I have seen were on wristlets, worn on the lower arm.