I haven't a clue where to post this one so I figured general would cover it. I just picked up a book on the Guards Armoured Division in WWII and I am wondering about some of the abbreviations used. What do the following mean? C.R.A? This is some kind of artillery unit, but I can't figure out what the C would stand for. C.R.E.? This is under the Royal Engineers but again I can't figure out the C. R.A.S.C? C.R.A.S.C.? There's that C again. R.E.M.E? C.R.E.M.E.? Good old C again. R.A.M.C.? Royal army medical corps? A.D.M.S? It's listed under the R.A.M.C. so I think it's a type of medical unit. R.A.O.C? R.M.P.? This I'm guessing is Royal Military Police, but I'm not sure. RAC? Royal armoured corps? G.O.C.? I think this is General Officer Commanding, but right below it is GSO so what would that be? Under one unit called "A & Q" are also listings for ADMS and ADOS? The notation GS is used to describe both trucks and headgear. Would this be General Service? Also used to describe a Bedford truck is QLT. I know what a Bedford was but what's QLT? Another Bedford is called a QLD? Some type of artillery vehicle is called a FOO. I'm guessing that's Forward Observer, but what is the 2nd O? There may be more but these are what I've found so far. I guess it goes without saying the R in all the above means Royal, but is that always the case? Thanks in advance for any help.
Originally posted by halfyank@May 15 2005, 07:34 PM R.A.S.C?Royal Army Service Corps R.E.M.E? Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers R.A.M.C.? Royal army medical corps?Yes A.D.M.S? It's listed under the R.A.M.C. so I think it's a type of medical unit.Assistant Director of Medical Services R.A.O.C? Royal Army Ordnance Corps R.M.P.? This I'm guessing is Royal Military Police, but I'm not sure.Yes RAC? Royal armoured corps?Yes G.O.C.? I think this is General Officer Commanding, but right below it is GSO so what would that be?Yes. GSO= General Staff Officer Some type of artillery vehicle is called a FOO. I'm guessing that's Forward Observer, but what is the 2nd O?Forward Observations Officer (Artillery Spotter) I guess it goes without saying the R in all the above means Royal, but is that always the case?Yes[post=34479]Quoted post[/post] I would guess the extra "C" you've been finding would stand for Canada, but usually this is not at the beginning of the Abbr'. The "Royal" prefix would usually come before Canada. i.e. RC (Royal Canadian) NOT CR (Canadian Royal). Are you sure it's not a "G" (Ghurka) Hope this helps a little. Mark.
Thanks Mark for the info. No, it's not a C for Canadian, at least I don't think so. The order of battle for the Guards Armoured shows Irish and Welsh, but no Canadians. I'm wondering if it could be Composite, Combined, something like that? It's definitely a C, not a G, and the OB doesn't show Indian or Gurkha.
C R A = Commander Royal Artillery, normally the chief gunner in a division. or Corps. C R E = Commander Royal Engineers, again normally the head engineer in a division or Corps. The C in C R A S C and C R E M E may also stand for commander, although C R A S C could also be Canadian Royal Army Service Corps. A and Q is Adjutant and Quartermaster, the chief 'quarters' of a large formation like a division. A D O S = Assistant Director Ordnance Services. Hope that helps.
Hi Rodger, Here's a site which covers, if not all, a whole lot of British Army abbreviations; http://niehorster.orbat.com/017_britain/_a...ations_army.htm Cheers, Gerry
Speaking of Abbreviations. Major-General Kenneth Bayley served as deputy director H.G. (DDHG) at the War Office 1941-1942. Anyone got any idea of what the H.G. stands for? Kind Regards Steen Ammentorp
Originally posted by halfyank@May 23 2005, 04:00 PM Wouldn't H.G. be Home Guard? [post=34739]Quoted post[/post] This were my thoughts as well but I would like to get it verified. Kind Regards Steen Ammentorp
Hi Guys, The years could fit if he took over from Bridgeman's position. Title: BRIDGEMAN, Maj Gen Robert Clive, 2nd Viscount Bridgeman (1896-1982) BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY Born in 1896; educated at Eton; 2nd Lt, Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own), 1914; served in France, World War One, 1915-1918; Lt, 1916; Private Secretary to his father when Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Labour, 1918; Capt, 1921; graduated Staff College, 1928; Brevet Maj, 1932; Bde Maj, 7 Infantry Bde, 1932-1934; Brevet Lt Col, 1935; General Staff Officer, Grade 2, War Office, 1935-1937; retired pay, 1937; served in World War Two, 1939-1945; General Staff Officer, Grade 1, BEF (British Expeditionary Force), 1939-1940; Deputy Director, Home Guard and acting Maj Gen, 1941; Director General, Home Guard and Territorial Army, 1941-1944; Col and temporary Maj Gen, 1942; Deputy Adjutant General, 1944-1945; President of West Midland Territorial Army and Volunteer Reserve Association, 1968-1969; died 1982 Geoff
Bridgeman was the guy Gort assigned to work out the plan for the British retreat to Dunkirk. He did a fine job of it.
I don't know if anyone still looks at this thread, but fingers crossed. I'm hoping someone can help with these two abbreviations: LRRA (appears as Granted leave E sick LRRA) and NCID? Many thanks.
Context is everything--if you can upload a clear image of the paperwork, odds on one of us will get it.
Many thanks for responding. I'm attaching relevant section. I've since discovered LRRA is Lower Rate of Ration Allowance, still unsure what NCID means or could it be NLID?....any information and advice welcome.
It's 2 NLID ID is likely Infantry Depot. That leaves NL. The L could be Light (Light Infantry). Can you male out the location in the fourth column (Horton or Morton Gap??)
I'm flailing here. 'N' could well be either 'North' or a place/regiment name beginning with 'N'. 'L' is either 'Light' (to join 'infantry') or the second letter of the place/regiment name. So, for instance, either North Lancashire Infantry Depot (not that one existed that I know) or Northumberland Light Infantry Depot (but the Northumberland Light Infantry didn't exist in 1942). Sorry.
I'm grateful to you for trying...I'm making some progress with the location, Norton Camp, I believe it was a PoW Camp in Mansfield, Nottingham, but what his unit, No. 2 N.L.I.D., means remains a mystery.
Was this his first unit or is there one listed earlier? It might present a clue as to what 'kind' of soldier he was.
