War Diaries Talk

Honourable rank?

  • erik.schaubroeckscarlet.be by erik.schaubroeckscarlet.be

    Hon. Lieut. + Q.M. Glass R.W. In september 1917 this soldier was still a "ordinary" sergeant! Is honourable a title and so yes why not Hon. Sgt?

    Posted

  • ral104 by ral104 moderator, scientist

    No, he was an honorary lieutenant. This was often the case with quartermasters. Honorary rank gave him some of the privileges of being an officer, but it did not give him the same level of authority.

    Posted

  • erik.schaubroeckscarlet.be by erik.schaubroeckscarlet.be in response to ral104's comment.

    Does that mean that he was not really an officer? And in the unit strenght he is a O.R.?

    Posted

  • ral104 by ral104 moderator, scientist

    Sorry for the delayed response, Erik.

    He should be classified as an officer when tagging - this is a slightly odd situation, but similar to Chaplains, who had the rank and privileges of officers, but who were not entitled to command troops in combat. Quartermasters tended to be promoted from the ranks, and you can see on Lives that this man was originally a Corporal. The appointment tended to go to long-serving soldiers as a reward for good service.

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