Can anyone help. I would like to know the significance of the letter that precedes a WW11 Canadian Service Number. eg. J. or R.
According to 3rd Parachute Brigade WWII British & Canadian Reenactors - Home <table width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Canadian Regimental Numbers </td> </tr> </tbody></table> Regimental Numbers in the Canadian Army were divided into several large number blocks. The first block was that assigned to the Canadian Active Service Force (CASF) starting in 1940. This block numbered from 1 to 399,999. During WWII Canada was divided into Militia Districts (MD). Each of the Militia Districts received the same number block of 1 to 399,999 for the CASF, which was then divided into smaller blocks for the units that were part of that MD. In addition, each of the Milita Districts was assigned a single letter designation, which would be prefixed to a recruit's number. A new recruit into the CASF would receive their Regimental Number at the time of enlistment with the prefix of the letter assigned to their MD. For example, a new recruit to the South Saskatchewan Regiment could be issued the number L16214, with "L" being the MD prefix and 16214 part of the number block for the CASF assigned to the SSR within this district. Members of the Permanent Force who joined the CASF received the prefix "P" to their service number. The second block of numbers was assigned to the Non Permanent Active Miltia (NPAM) starting in late 1940. This block numbered from 400,000 to 599,999. As with the CASF numbers, each MD used this same block of numbers for the NPAM, dividing it into smaller blocks for units as needed. Issued numbers for the NPAM also had the letter prefix for the appropriate MD. The third block of numbers were assigned to soldiers called up for four month training cycles starting in early 1941. These blocks started at 600,000. A soldier could be assigned several numbers, but once they received a CASF number it was kept, even if the soldier switched units or re-enlisted. The CASF number would replace a previously issued NPAM or training number. Officers were not issued Regimental Numbers until early 1945. Following is a list of Militia Districts <table class="ttext"> <tbody><tr valign="bottom"><td>Number<hr size="1"></td><td width="10"> </td><td>Letter<hr size="1"></td><td width="10"> </td><td>District Area<hr size="1"></td></tr> <tr><td>1 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>A </td><td width="10"> </td><td>Toronto area </td></tr> <tr><td>2 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>B </td><td width="10"> </td><td>Central Ontario </td></tr> <tr><td>3 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>C </td><td width="10"> </td><td>Eastern Ontario and South-Western Quebec </td></tr> <tr><td>4 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>D </td><td width="10"> </td><td>Western Quebec </td></tr> <tr><td>5 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>E </td><td width="10"> </td><td>Eastern Quebec and Western Newfoundland </td></tr> <tr><td>6 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>F </td><td width="10"> </td><td>Nova Scotia </td></tr> <tr><td>7 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>G </td><td width="10"> </td><td>New Brunswick </td></tr> <tr><td>10 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>H </td><td width="10"> </td><td>Manitoba and Western Ontario </td></tr> <tr><td>11 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>K </td><td width="10"> </td><td>British Columbia and Yukon Territory </td></tr> <tr><td>12 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>L </td><td width="10"> </td><td>Saskatchewan </td></tr> <tr><td>13 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>M </td><td width="10"> </td><td>Alberta and the Northwest Territories </td></tr> </tbody></table> Following is a list of the number blocks assigned the various units and services of the Canadian Army. Please note that this is a heavily edited list, only showing some of the major armoured units and infantry regiments. A complete list, and full explanation of the Regimental Numbers, is available in Clive Law's Regimental Numbers of the Canadian Army, 1936-1960. <table class="ttext"> <tbody><tr><td>Unit or Service<hr size="1"></td><td width="20"> </td><td>Start<hr size="1"></td><td width="10"> </td><td>End<hr size="1"></td></tr> <tr><td align="center"> Militia District 1 - Prefix A</td><td colspan="4"> </td></tr> <tr><td>1st Hussars (6th Armoured Regiment) </td><td width="20"> </td><td>1 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>1999 </td></tr> <tr><td>Royal Canadian Regiment </td><td width="20"> </td><td>3000 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>3999 </td></tr> <tr><td>Perth Regiment </td><td width="20"> </td><td>11000 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>16999 </td></tr> <tr><td>Essex Scottish Regiment </td><td width="20"> </td><td>21100 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>26999 </td></tr> <tr><td>Highland Light Infantry of Canada (Galt) </td><td width="20"> </td><td>37175 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>37999 </td></tr> <tr><td>Highland Light Infantry of Canada (Kitchener) </td><td width="20"> </td><td>38000 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>41999 </td></tr> <tr><td>Elgin Regiment </td><td width="20"> </td><td>42000 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>46999 </td></tr> <tr><td>Kent Regiment </td><td width="20"> </td><td>49500 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>54499 </td></tr> <tr><td align="center"> Militia District 2 - Prefix B</td><td colspan="4"> </td></tr> <tr><td>Royal Canadian Dragoons </td><td width="20"> </td><td>1 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>100 </td></tr> <tr><td>Scots Fusiliers </td><td width="20"> </td><td>24901 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>24999 </td></tr><tr><td>Royal Hamilton Light Infantry </td><td width="20"> </td><td>36500 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>38240 </td></tr><tr><td>Lincoln & Welland Regiment </td><td width="20"> </td><td>40500 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>41576 </td></tr><tr><td>2nd/10th Dragoons </td><td width="20"> </td><td>41601 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>42999 </td></tr><tr><td>Dufferin & Haldemand Rifles </td><td width="20"> </td><td>43000 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>43481 </td></tr><tr><td>Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders </td><td width="20"> </td><td>45500 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>46654 </td></tr><tr><td>Lorne Scots (Defence Platoon) </td><td width="20"> </td><td>46801 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>47150 </td></tr><tr><td>Lorne Scots (Defence Platoon) </td><td width="20"> </td><td>51600</td><td width="10"> </td><td>52202</td></tr><tr><td>Grey & Simcoe Foresters </td><td width="20"> </td><td>49250 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>49550 </td></tr><tr><td>Grey & Simcoe Foresters </td><td width="20"> </td><td>50000 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>50161</td></tr><tr><td>Grey & Simcoe Foresters </td><td width="20"> </td><td>50750 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>50920 </td></tr><tr><td>Algonquin Regiment </td><td width="20"> </td><td>54500 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>55649 </td></tr><tr><td>Sault Ste Marie and Sudbury Regiment </td><td width="20"> </td><td>59000 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>60499 </td></tr><tr><td>Queen's Own Rifles </td><td width="20"> </td><td>63500 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>64441 </td></tr><tr><td>Royal Regiment of Canada </td><td width="20"> </td><td>66500 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>68013 </td></tr><tr><td>3rd Armoured Regiment</td><td width="20"> </td><td>69500 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>70160 </td></tr><tr><td>Queens York Rangers </td><td width="20"> </td><td>70161 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>71000 </td></tr><tr><td>Prince of Wales Rangers </td><td width="20"> </td><td>71001 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>71099 </td></tr><tr><td>48th Highlanders of Canada </td><td width="20"> </td><td>72500 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>74849 </td></tr><tr><td>Toronto Scottish Regiment </td><td width="20"> </td><td>75500 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>77058 </td></tr><tr><td>Irish Regiment of Canada </td><td width="20"> </td><td>78500 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>79539 </td></tr><tr><td align="center"> Militia District 3 - Prefix C</td><td colspan="4"> </td></tr> <tr><td>Hastings & Prince Edward Regiment </td><td width="20"> </td><td>4001 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>9000 </td></tr><tr><td>Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa </td><td width="20"> </td><td>20501 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>25500 </td></tr><tr><td>Midland Regiment </td><td width="20"> </td><td>40501 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>40750 </td></tr><tr><td>Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry Highlanders </td><td width="20"> </td><td>40751 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>41250 </td></tr><tr><td>Lanark & Renfrew Scottish Regiment </td><td width="20"> </td><td>42301 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>42310 </td></tr><tr><td>Lanark & Renfrew Scottish Regiment </td><td width="20"> </td><td>79000 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>79415 </td></tr><tr><td>Regiment de Hull (Active Force) </td><td width="20"> </td><td>42501 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>42700 </td></tr><tr><td>Regiment de Hull (Active Force) </td><td width="20"> </td><td>43501 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>43618 </td></tr><tr valign="top"><td>Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry Highlanders (Active Force) </td><td width="20"> </td><td>53000 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>57498 </td></tr><tr><td>Governor General's Foot Guards (Active Force) </td><td width="20"> </td><td>58000 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>62999 </td></tr><tr><td>1st Bn. Midland Regiment (Active Force) </td><td width="20"> </td><td>65000 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>69999 </td></tr><tr><td>Prince of Wales Rangers </td><td width="20"> </td><td>78000 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>78234 </td></tr><tr><td>Brockville Rifles (Active Force) </td><td width="20"> </td><td>80000 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>80999 </td></tr> <tr><td align="center"> Militia District 4 - Prefix D</td><td colspan="4"> </td></tr> <tr><td>1st Armored Car Regiment </td><td width="20"> </td><td>1500 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>2999 </td></tr> <tr><td>7th Recconnaisance Bn. </td><td width="20"> </td><td>3000 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>5999 </td></tr> <tr><td>22nd Armoured Regiment </td><td width="20"> </td><td>26000 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>30999 </td></tr> <tr><td>Regiment de St. Hyacinthe </td><td width="20"> </td><td>41000 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>45999 </td></tr> <tr><td>27th Armoured Regiment (Sherbrooke Fusiliers) </td><td width="20"> </td><td>46000 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>50999 </td></tr> <tr><td>Regiment de Chateauguay </td><td width="20"> </td><td>51000 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>55999 </td></tr> <tr><td>Regiment de Maisonneuve </td><td width="20"> </td><td>56000 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>60999 </td></tr> <tr><td>Fusiliers de Mont-Royal </td><td width="20"> </td><td>61000 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>65999 </td></tr> <tr><td>Regiment de Joliette </td><td width="20"> </td><td>66000 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>70999 </td></tr> <tr><td>Victoria Rifles of Canada </td><td width="20"> </td><td>71000 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>75999 </td></tr> <tr><td>Royal Montreal Regiment </td><td width="20"> </td><td>76000 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>80999</td></tr> <tr><td>Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada </td><td width="20"> </td><td>81000 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>90999 </td></tr> <tr><td>Royal 22nd Regiment </td><td width="20"> </td><td>106000 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>106499 </td></tr> <tr><td>Royal 22nd Regiment </td><td width="20"> </td><td>124700 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>124899 </td></tr> <tr><td>Canadian Armoured Corps (Reinforcements) </td><td width="20"> </td><td>131000 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>131999 </td></tr> <tr><td>Fusiliers de Sherbrooke Regiment </td><td width="20"> </td><td>150000 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>154999 </td></tr> <tr><td>Regiment de Maisonneuve </td><td width="20"> </td><td>160000 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>162999 </td></tr> <tr><td>Fusiliers de Mont-Royal </td><td width="20"> </td><td>163300 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>165999 </td></tr> <tr><td align="center"> Militia District 5 - Prefix E</td><td colspan="4"> </td></tr> <tr><td>Royal 22e Regiment </td><td width="20"> </td><td>4001 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>7500 </td></tr> <tr><td>Regiment de la Chaudiere </td><td width="20"> </td><td>9001 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>14000 </td></tr> <tr><td>Royal Rifles of Canada </td><td width="20"> </td><td>22801 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>23300 </td></tr> <tr><td>Royal Rifles of Canada </td><td width="20"> </td><td>29801 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>34800 </td></tr> <tr><td>Voltigeurs de Quebec </td><td width="20"> </td><td>23301</td><td width="10"> </td><td>23800 </td></tr> <tr><td>Voltigeurs de Quebec </td><td width="20"> </td><td>41901 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>46900 </td></tr> <tr><td>Regiment de Levis </td><td width="20"> </td><td>23801 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>24300 </td></tr> <tr><td>Regiment de Quebec </td><td width="20"> </td><td>24301 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>24800 </td></tr> <tr><td>Regiment de Quebec </td><td width="20"> </td><td>63001 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>68000 </td></tr> <tr><td>Fusiliers du St. Laurent </td><td width="20"> </td><td>25301 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>25800 </td></tr> <tr><td>Fusiliers du St. Laurent </td><td width="20"> </td><td>57601 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>62600 </td></tr> <tr><td>Canadian Armoured Corps </td><td width="20"> </td><td>40401 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>40900 </td></tr> <tr><td>Regiment de Montmagny </td><td width="20"> </td><td>68001 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>73000 </td></tr> <tr><td align="center"> Militia District 6 - Prefix F</td><td colspan="4"> </td></tr> <tr><td>Halifax Rifles </td><td width="20"> </td><td>29550 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>30599 </td></tr> <tr><td>The West Nova Scotia Regiment </td><td width="20"> </td><td>39550 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>43699 </td></tr> <tr><td>Pictou Highlanders </td><td width="20"> </td><td>44600 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>45799 </td></tr> <tr><td>North Nova Scotia Highlanders </td><td width="20"> </td><td>49600 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>50999 </td></tr> <tr><td>The Cape Breton Highlanders </td><td width="20"> </td><td>54600 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>55725 </td></tr> <tr><td>Prince Edward Island Highlanders </td><td width="20"> </td><td>59600 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>63700 </td></tr> <tr><td align="center"> Militia District 7 - Prefix G</td><td colspan="4"> </td></tr> <tr><td>5th Armoured Regiment </td><td width="20"> </td><td>1 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>3000 </td></tr> <tr><td>Carleton & York Regiment </td><td width="20"> </td><td>17001 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>21500 </td></tr> <tr><td>North Shore Regiment </td><td width="20"> </td><td>22001 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>25000 </td></tr> <tr><td>New Brunswick Rangers </td><td width="20"> </td><td>27000 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>32000 </td></tr> <tr><td>St. John Fusiliers </td><td width="20"> </td><td>32001 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>34000 </td></tr> <tr><td align="center"> Militia District 10 - Prefix H</td><td colspan="4"> </td></tr> <tr><td>Lord Strathcona's Horse </td><td width="20"> </td><td>1 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>999 </td></tr> <tr><td>Winnipeg Light Infantry </td><td width="20"> </td><td>3501 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>3600 </td></tr> <tr><td>Winnipeg Grenadiers </td><td width="20"> </td><td>6001 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>7999 </td></tr> <tr><td>Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry </td><td width="20"> </td><td>16001 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>17999 </td></tr> <tr><td>Fort Garry Horse </td><td width="20"> </td><td>26001 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>26999 </td></tr> <tr><td>Royal Winnipeg Rifles </td><td width="20"> </td><td>40501 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>42999 </td></tr> <tr><td>Lake Superior Regiment </td><td width="20"> </td><td>45501 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>46999 </td></tr> <tr><td>18th Armoured Car Regiment </td><td width="20"> </td><td>77001 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>77999 </td></tr> <tr><td>Winnipeg Light Infantry </td><td width="20"> </td><td>200000 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>202999 </td></tr> <tr valign="top"><td>2nd Bn Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada (Reserve Force)</td><td width="20"> </td><td>433000 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>436999 </td></tr> <tr><td align="center"> Militia District 11 - Prefix K</td><td colspan="4"> </td></tr> <tr><td>9th Armoured Regiment </td><td width="20"> </td><td>1 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>3200 </td></tr> <tr><td>British Columbia Regiment </td><td width="20"> </td><td>37001 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>42000 </td></tr> <tr><td>Rocky Mountain Rangers </td><td width="20"> </td><td>42001 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>47000 </td></tr> <tr><td>Westminster Regiment </td><td width="20"> </td><td>47001 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>52000 </td></tr> <tr><td>Seaforth Highlanders </td><td width="20"> </td><td>52001 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>57000 </td></tr> <tr><td>Canadian Scottish Regiment </td><td width="20"> </td><td>57001 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>59500 </td></tr> <tr><td>Canadian Scottish Regiment </td><td width="20"> </td><td>62001 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>67000 </td></tr> <tr><td>Irish Rifles </td><td width="20"> </td><td>67001 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>72000 </td></tr> <tr><td>Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry </td><td width="20"> </td><td>85201 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>87700 </td></tr> <tr><td align="center"> Militia District 12 - Prefix L</td><td colspan="4"> </td></tr> <tr><td>Saskatoon Light Infantry </td><td width="20"> </td><td>1001 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>6000 </td></tr> <tr><td>South Saskatchewan Regiment </td><td width="20"> </td><td>12001 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>17000 </td></tr> <tr><td>Regina Rifles Regiment </td><td width="20"> </td><td>23001 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>24000 </td></tr> <tr><td>Prince Albert & Battleford Volunteers </td><td width="20"> </td><td>24001 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>25000 </td></tr> <tr><td>Regina Rifles Regiment </td><td width="20"> </td><td>27001 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>32000 </td></tr> <tr><td>16/22 Saskatchewan Horse </td><td width="20"> </td><td>36001 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>41000 </td></tr> <tr><td>14th Canadian Hussars </td><td width="20"> </td><td>53201 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>55200 </td></tr> <tr><td>Canadian Armoured Corps </td><td width="20"> </td><td>58601 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>59600 </td></tr> <tr><td>King's Own Rifles of Canada </td><td width="20"> </td><td>84501 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>85500 </td></tr> <tr><td>Prince Albert & Battleford Volunteers </td><td width="20"> </td><td>86501 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>91500 </td></tr> <tr><td>Regina Rifles Regiment </td><td width="20"> </td><td>93601 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>95600 </td></tr> <tr><td align="center"> Militia District 13 - Prefix M</td><td colspan="4"> </td></tr> <tr><td>Calgary Highlanders </td><td width="20"> </td><td>10501 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>12500 </td></tr> <tr><td>Edmonton Fusiliers </td><td width="20"> </td><td>12501 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>15500 </td></tr> <tr><td>Edmonton Regiment </td><td width="20"> </td><td>15501 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>20500 </td></tr> <tr><td>Edmonton Fusiliers </td><td width="20"> </td><td>30801 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>33900 </td></tr> <tr><td>Lord Strathcona's Horse </td><td width="20"> </td><td>37401 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>37450 </td></tr> <tr><td>South Alberta Regiment </td><td width="20"> </td><td>44751 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>49750 </td></tr> <tr><td>31st (Alberta) Reconnaissance Regiment </td><td width="20"> </td><td>51001 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>51500 </td></tr> <tr><td>31st (Alberta) Reconnaissance Regiment </td><td width="20"> </td><td>52001 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>52800 </td></tr> <tr><td align="center"> Permanent Force Joining the CASF - Prefix P</td><td colspan="4"> </td></tr> <tr><td>Royal Canadian Dragoons </td><td width="20"> </td><td>1 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>2000 </td></tr> <tr><td>Lord Strathcona's Horse </td><td width="20"> </td><td>2001 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>4000 </td></tr> <tr><td>Royal Canadian Regiment </td><td width="20"> </td><td>12001 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>20000 </td></tr> <tr><td>Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry </td><td width="20"> </td><td>20001 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>27000 </td></tr> <tr><td>Royal 22e Regiment </td><td width="20"> </td><td>48001 </td><td width="10"> </td><td>52000 </td></tr> </tbody></table> Interestingly neither R or J seemed have been used in the army . However, according to http://cap.estevan.sk.ca/ssr/nominal/snaps.html , J = Officer 1939-1945 (Air Force) and R = Other Ranks 1939-1945 (Air Force)
Hi Kyt, thanks for that. I should have been more precise as the letters refered to belong to men from the R.C.A.F. who were serving in R.A.F. Squadrons.
