Second World War: information package

Second World War personnel files

These information sheets will help to interpret the documents found in the service files of Canadian military personnel.

• Abbreviations: Royal Canadian Air Force personnel records

  List of some of the abbreviations which might occur in the enclosed Royal Canadian Air Force personnel records

  a/

  acting (rank)

  AC1

  Aircraftman 1st Class

  AC2

  Aircraftman 2nd Class

  ACHQ

  Air Command Headquarters

  ACHQ

  Area Combined Headquarters

  Act

  Acting (Rank)

  ACU

  Aircrew Conditioning Units

  ADC

  Aerodrome Defence Company

  ADC

  Air Detection Corps

  adm

  Admitted

  AEM

  Air Engine Mechanic

  AFHQ

  Air Force Headquarters

  AFM

  Air Frame Mechanic

  AFS

  Advanced Flying School

  AFU

  Advance Flying Unit

  AG

  Air Gunner

  AGGTS

  Air Gunners Ground Training School

  AGS

  Air Gunnery School

  AGTS

  Aircrew Graduate Training Schools

  AHU

  Administrative and Holding Units

  AID

  Aeronautical Inspection District

  AirB

  Air Bomber

  AMD

  Auxiliary Manning Depot

  ANS

  Air Navigation School

  AOC

  Air Officer Commanding

  AOS

  Air Observer School

  APE

  Address Prior to Enlistment

  ARC

  Appraisal and Refresher Course

  Arm(BorG)

  Armourer (Bombs or Guns)

  auth

  Authority, Authorized

  Awd’d

  Awarded

  AWL

  absent with leave

  AWOL

  absent without leave

  AY@ Depot

  Overseas Transit Depot

  BGS

  Bombing and Gunnery School

  B & GFU

  Bombing and Gunnery Flying Unit

  BAT

  Beam Approach Training

  BR

  Bomber Reconnaissance Squadron

  BSU

  Bombing Survey Unit

  C/O

  Commanding Officer

  CFS

  Central Flying Schools

  C-in-C

  Commander in Chief

  CIU

  Clinical Investigation Units

  CLK

  Clerk

  CMU

  Construction and Maintenance Units

  CTS

  Composite Training School

  CU

  Conversion Unit

  CVSM

  Canadian Volunteer Service Medal

  dis

  Discharged

  DRO

  Daily Routine Order

  DT

  Driver Transport

  EA

  Enemy Action

  EA

  Enemy Aircraft

  EAC

  Eastern Air Command

  ED

  Efficiency Decoration

  ED

  Equipment Depot

  EFTS

  Elementary Flying Training School(s)

  Elect

  Electrician

  Emb

  Embarked

  Eqpm. Ass't

  Equipment Assistant

  Eqpt

  Equipment

  Est

  Establishment

  Estab

  Establishment

  F/C

  Flight Commander

  FIS

  Flying Instructors Schools

  FL

  Flying List

  F/Lt

  Flight Lieutenant

  Flt Eng

  Flight Engineer

  F/S

  Flight Sergeant

  Flt/Sgt

  Flight Sergeant

  F/O

  Flying Officer

  FTU

  Flying Training Unit

  FW

  Fighter Wing

  G/C

  Group Captain

  GD

  General Duties

  GIS

  Ground Instructors School

  GRS

  General Reconnaissance School

  HCU

  Heavy Conversion Unit

  HE

  High Explosive

  HE

  Home Establishment

  HWE

  Home War Establishment

  IFS

  Instrument Flying School

  ITS

  Initial Training School

  KIA

  Killed in Action

  LAC

  Leading Aircraftman

  LAW

  Leading Aircraftwoman

  LG

  London Gazette

  LWOP

  Leave Without Pay

  LWP

  Leave With Pay

  Mach

  Machinist

  MD

  Manning Depot

  mech

  mechanic, mechanical or mechanized

  MIA

  Missing In Action

  MID

  Mentioned in Despatches

  MM

  Motor Mechanic

  N/E Unit

  Non-Effective Unit

  Nav

  Navigator

  NETD

  Non-Effective Transit Depot

  NWAC

  North West Air Command

  Oi/c

  Officer in Charge

  OIC

  Officer in Charge

  OTS

  Operational Training Squadron

  OTU

  Operational Training Unit(s)

  P/L

  Privilege Leave

  P/O

  Pilot Officer

  PRC

  Personnel Reception Centre

  PTU

  Port Transit Unit(s)

  RC

  Recruiting Centre(s)

  RC

  Release or Reselection Centre(s)

  RD

  Repair (or Repatriation) Depot

  RDF

  Radio Direction Finding (Radar)

  RNS

  Radio and Navigation School

  RU

  Radio Unit

  S/L

  Squadron Leader

  SAN

  School of Air Navigation

  SE

  Servicing Echelon

  SFTS

  Service Flying Training School

  SgtP

  Sergeant Pilot

  SgtPlt

  Sergeant Pilot

  SLTW

  Special Leave Travel Warrant

  SOS

  Struck Off Strength

  SR

  Special Reserve

  SU

  Staging Unit

  T/

  Temporary (appointed rank)

  TAC

  Tactical Air Command

  TAF

  Tactical Air Force

  TD

  Temporary Duty

  TOS

  Taken On Strength (of a unit)

  TTS

  Technical Training Schools

  UT

  Under Training

  W/C

  Wing Commander

  W/Mech

  Wireless Mechanic

  W/O

  Wireless Operator

  W/Op

  Wireless Operator

  W/T

  Wireless Telegraphy (or Wireless Telegrapher)

  WAC

  Western Air Command

  WAG

  Wireless Operator or Wireless Air Gunner

  wef

  with effect from

  WEM

  Wireless and Electrical Mechanic (Radar)

  Wg

  Wing

  WgHq

  Wing Headquarters

  WO1 (or WO2)

  Warrant Officer, Class 1 (or Class 2)

  WOAG

  Wireless Operator/Air Gunner

  WOI (or WOII)

  Warrant Officer, Class 1 (or Class 2)

  WS

  Wireless School

  A more complete list is available at Military abbreviations used in Service Files.

• Abbreviations: Royal Canadian Navy personnel records

  List of some of the abbreviations which might occur in the enclosed Royal Canadian Navy personnel records

  A Ck

  Assistant Cook

  a/

  acting (rank)

  A/G

  Anti-Gas

  A/S

  Anti-Submarine

  A/SA

  Anti-Submarine Artificer

  A/SD

  Anti-Submarine Detector

  A/STTV

  Anti-Submarine Target Towing Vessels

  A/SYacht

  Anti-Submarine Yacht

  A/T

  Anti-Torpedo

  A/T

  Auxiliary Tanker

  AB

  Able Seaman

  Act

  Acting (Rank)

  AE

  Algerine Escorts

  AFO

  Admiralty Fleet Orders

  AM

  Air Mechanic

  AMC

  Armed Merchant Cruiser

  AO

  Accountant Officer

  ASW

  Anti-Submarine Warfare

  auth

  Authorized, Authority

  AuxMS

  Auxiliary Minesweepers

  Awd’d

  Awarded

  AWL

  absent without leave

  AWOL

  absent without leave

  B. Main

  Boom Maintenance Vessels

  BAV

  Boom Attendant Vessels

  BDV

  Boom Defence Vessel

  Blksmth

  Blacksmith

  BMV

  Boom Maintenance Vessels

  Bosn

  Boatswain

  BSS

  Base Supply Ship

  Btswn

  Boatswain

  C/EA

  Chief Electrical Artificer

  C/ERA

  Chief Engine Room Artificer

  C/Mech

  Chief Mechanic

  C/MM

  Chief Motor Mechanic

  C/O

  Commanding Officer

  C/PO

  Chief Petty Officer

  C/RA

  Chief Radio Artificer

  Canavhed

  Canadian Naval Headquarters

  Capt(D)

  Captain (Destroyers)

  Cdr

  Coder

  Cdr

  Commander

  Cdr(D)

  Commander (Destroyers)

  CDRE

  Commodore

  Cdt

  Cadet

  CGS

  Canadian Government Ship

  Chap

  Chaplain

  ChO

  Chief Officer

  ChSkr

  Chief Skipper

  C-in-C

  Commander in Chief

  Ck(O)

  Cook (Officers)

  Ck(S)

  Cook (Seamen)

  CM/L

  Controlled Mine Laying

  Cmdre

  Commodore

  CNO

  Canadian Naval Order

  CNS

  Chief of Naval Staff

  Comm

  Commodore

  Convoy Sig

  Convoy Signalman

  Cor

  Corvettes

  Cox’n

  Coxswain

  Csr

  Cruiser

  CSTV

  Coil Skids Towing Vessel (Note: for degaussing ships)

  CV

  Carrier Vessel (fleet aircraft carrier)

  CVE

  Carrier Vessel Escort (Escort Carrier)

  D/C

  Depth Charge

  DA/S

  Director of Anti-Submarine

  DAB

  Dependents Allowance Board

  DD

  Destroyer Division (U.S.)

  DE

  Destroyer Escort Vessel (U.S.)

  DEMS

  Defensively Equipped Merchant Ships

  DTC

  Discharge Transit Centre

  EA

  Enemy Action

  EA

  Enemy Aircraft

  EA 1c (or 2c, 3c, 4c, 5c)

  Electrical Artificer, 1st Class (or 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th Class)

  ED

  Efficiency Decoration

  ED

  Equipment Depot

  Eqpt

  Equipment

  ER

  Engine Room Artificer

  ERA, 1c (or 2c, 3c, 4c, 5c)

  Engine Room Artificer, 1st Class (or 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th Class)

  st

  Establishment

  Estab

  Establishment

  ExVes

  Examination Vessels

  FAA

  Fleet Air Arm

  FF

  Fire Fighter

  Fgt

  Frigate

  Fri

  Frigate

  FR

  Fishermen’s Reserve

  G’nr

  Gunner

  GV

  Gate Vessels

  HC

  Harbour Craft

  HDC

  Harbour Defence Craft

  HMCS

  His (or Her) Majesty’s Canadian Ship

  HMS

  His (or Her) Majesty’s Ship

  HMT

  His (or Her) Majesty’s Transport

  HPC

  Harbour Patrol Crafts

  Indef.Lve.

  Indefinite Leave

  Instr.Cdr.

  Instructor Commander

  KIA

  Killed in Action

  KRCN

  King’s Regulations for the Canadian Navy

  L/

  Leading

  L/S

  Leading Seaman

  L/SA

  Leading Stores Assistant

  L/Sto

  Leading Stoker

  LCI(L)

  Landing Craft Infantry (Large)

  LCI(S)

  Landing Craft Infantry (Small)

  LLV

  Loop Laying Vessel (Note: for degaussing ships)

  LSBA

  Leading Sick Berth Attendant

  LSI(M)

  Landing Ship Infantry (Medium)

  LtCdr

  Lieutenant Commander

  LWOP

  Leave Without Pay

  LWP

  Leave With Pay

  M/S

  Minesweeper(s)

  MAA

  Master At Arms

  MDC

  Mobile Deperming Craft (Note: for degaussing ships)

  MDU

  Mobile Deperming Unit (Note: for degaussing ships)

  mech

  mechanic, mechanical or mechanized

  MGB

  Motor Gun Boat

  MHC

  Miscellaneous Harbour Craft

  MIA

  Missing In Action

  Mid

  Midshipman

  MID

  Mentioned in Despatches

  ML

  Motor Launch

  MLV

  Mine Laying Vessels

  MM

  Motor Mechanic

  MTB

  Motor Torpedo Boat

  MV

  Merchant Vessel

  MV

  Motor Vessel

  NOIC

  Naval Officer in Charge

  NStr

  Nursing Sisters

  O/

  Ordinary (rank)

  O/S

  Ordinary Seaman

  OA, 1c (or 2c, 3c, 4c, 5c)

  Ordnance Artificer, 1st Class (or 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th Class)

  Oi/c

  Officer in Charge

  OIC

  Officer in Charge

  OO

  Ordnance Officer

  P/O

  Petty Officer

  PB

  Patrol Boat

  Photo

  Photographer

  Physio

  Physiotherapist

  Plbr

  Plumber

  Pntr

  Painter

  Prob

  Probationer; Probationary

  Ptlmn

  Patrolman

  PV

  Patrol Vessel

  Q&R

  Quarters and Rations

  QR

  Quarter Ratings

  R-A

  Rear Admiral

  RA, 1c (or 2c, 3c, 4c, 5c)

  Radio Artificer, 1st Class (or 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th Class)

  RCN

  Royal Canadian Navy

  RCNH

  Royal Canadian Naval Hospital

  RCNR

  Royal Canadian Naval Reserve

  RCNR(FR)

  Royal Canadian Naval Reserve (Fisherman’s Reserve)

  RCNVR

  Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve

  RDF

  Radio Direction Finding (Radar)

  RNAS

  Royal Naval Air Service

  RTO

  Return to Owners

  S/Lt or SLt

  Sub-Lieutenant

  SA

  Stores Assistant

  SBA

  Sick Berth Attendant

  Schnr

  Schooner

  SCNO

  Senior Canadian Naval Officer

  SCTW

  Special Concession Travel Warrant

  Sg. Lt. (SgL)

  Surgeon Lieutenant

  Sgmn

  Signalman

  Shpt, 1c (or 2c, 3c, 4c, 5c)

  Shipwright, 1st Class (or 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th Class)

  Sig

  Signalman

  Skr

  Skipper

  Slmk

  Sailmaker

  SNLR

  Services No Longer Required

  SNO

  Senior Naval Officer

  SO

  Stores Officer

  SO(I)

  Staff Officer (Intelligence)

  SOS

  Struck Off Strength

  SP

  Shore Patrol

  SPO

  Stoker Petty Officer

  SS

  Steamship

  Stew

  Steward

  Sto 1c (or 2c)

  Stoker, 1st Class (or 2nd Class)

  Stwd

  Steward

  Sub-Lt (Sub-Lieut)

  Sub-Lieutenant

  SV

  Supply Vessels

  (ty)

  Temporary

  T

  Torpedo

  T/

  Temporary (appointed rank)

  Tel

  Telegraphist

  TOS

  Taken On Strength (of a unit)

  TrgVes

  Training Vessels

  Trshp

  Troop Ships

  UNTD

  University Naval Training Division

  V-A

  Vice-Admiral

  VS

  Victualling Storesman

  W/T

  Wireless Telegraphy (or Wireless Telegrapher)

  wef

  with effect from

  WK

  Watchkeeping Certificate

  WO1 (or WO2)

  Warrant Officer, Class 1 (or Class 2)

  WOI (or WOII)

  Warrant Officer, Class 1 (or Class 2)

  WRCNS

  Women’s Royal Canadian Naval Service

  wt

  warrant

  wtr

  writer

  XV

  Examination Vessels

  Yeo

  Yeoman

  YeoSigs

  Yeoman of Signals

  A more complete list is available at Military abbreviations used in Service Files.

• Abbreviations: Canadian army personnel records

  List of some of the abbreviations which might occur in the enclosed Canadian Army personnel records

  21AG

  21st Army Group

  A&T Staff

  Administration and Training Staff

  a/

  acting (rank)

  A/A

  Anti-Aircraft

  A/A

  Army Act

  AAI

  Allied Armies in Italy

  Act

  Acting (Rank)

  ADC

  Aide-de-Camp

  Adj

  Adjutant

  Adjt

  Adjutant

  adm

  Admitted

  ADS

  Advanced Dressing Station

  Adv

  Advance or Advanced

  AHU

  Administrative Holding Unit

  AHU

  Artillery Holding Unit

  allce

  Allowance

  Armd

  Armoured

  Arty

  Artillery

  auth

  Authorized, Authority

  Aux Serv

  Canadian Auxiliary Services

  Awd’d

  Awarded

  AWL

  absent with leave

  AWOL

  absent without leave

  Batt’n

  Battalion

  Bde

  Brigade

  Bdr

  Bombardier (Royal Canadian Army)

  BGH

  British General Hospital

  Bn

  Battalion

  BOD

  Base Ordnance Depot

  BQMS

  Battery Quartermaster-Sergeant

  Brig

  Brigadier

  BSM

  Battery Sergeant-Major

  Bty

  Battery

  BW

  Blast wound

  BWI

  British West Indies

  C/O

  Commanding Officer

  CA(A)

  Canadian Army (Active)

  CA(A)TC

  Canadian Army (Advanced) Training Centre

  CA(AF)

  Canadian Army (Active Force)

  CA(B)TC

  Canadian Army (Basic) Training Centre

  CAB W/S

  Canadian Armoured Brigade Workshop (RCEME)

  CAC

  Canadian Armoured Corps (becomes RCAC after 2 August 1945)

  CACRU

  Canadian Armoured Corps Reinforcement Unit

  CACTR

  Canadian Armoured Corps Training Regiment

  CACTSR

  Canadian Armoured Corps Trained Soldiers Regiment

  CAHU

  Canadian Artillery Holding Unit

  CAMMS

  Canadian Army Motor Mechanic School

  CAOF

  Canadian Army Occupation Force

  CAPF

  Canadian Army Pacific Force

  CAPO

  Canadian Army Post Office

  CAR

  Canadian Armoured Regiment

  CARU

  Canadian Armoured Reinforcement Unit

  Cas

  casualty

  CASCRU

  Canadian Army Service Corps Reinforcement Unit

  CASF

  Canadian Active Service Force

  CATC

  Canadian Armoured Training Centre

  CATR

  Canadian Army Tank Regiment

  CATS

  Canadian Army Tank School

  CATS

  Canadian Army Training School

  CB

  Confined to Barracks

  CBD

  Canadian Base Depot

  CCS

  Casualty Clearing Station

  CDB

  Canadian Detention Barracks

  CDIRU

  Canadian Divisional Infantry Reinforcement Unit

  CERU

  Canadian Engineer Reinforcement Unit

  CFA

  Canadian Field Ambulance

  CFA

  Canadian Field Artillery

  CFD

  Canadian Forces Decoration

  CFH

  Canadian Field Hospital

  Cfn

  Craftsman (Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers)

  CGH

  Canadian General Hospital

  CGRU

  Canadian General Reinforcement Unit

  CIBW/S

  Canadian Infantry Brigade Workshop (Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps or Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers)

  CIC

  Canadian Infantry Corps (becomes RCIC after 30 April 1947)

  CIHU

  Canadian Infantry Holding Unit

  C-in-C

  Commander in Chief

  CIRU

  Canadian Infantry Reinforcement Unit

  CITC

  Canadian Infantry Training Centre

  CMA

  Central Mediterranean Area

  CMF

  Central Mediterranean Force

  CMH

  Canadian Military Hospital

  CMHQ

  Canadian Military Headquarters

  COCTC

  Canadian Ordnance Corps Training Centre

  Col

  Colonel

  Coln

  Column

  Comd

  Command, commander, commandant or commanding

  Comn

  Communication

  Comp

  Composite

  Conc

  Concentrate or concentration

  COTC

  Canadian Officer Training Corps

  Coy

  Company

  Cpl

  Corporal

  CQMS

  Company Quartermaster-Sergeant

  CSEC

  Canadian Special Employment Company

  CSM

  Company Sergeant-Major

  CSRU

  Canadian Signals Reinforcement Unit

  CSTC

  Canadian Signal Training Centre

  CVSM

  Canadian Volunteer Service Medal

  CW

  Chemical Warfare

  DCM

  District Court Martial

  DD

  District Depot

  Dep

  Depot

  Det

  Detachment

  Detn

  Detention

  DF

  Direction Finding

  dis

  Discharged

  Disemb

  Disembarked

  Dist

  District

  Div

  Division

  Div

  Divisional

  DM

  Defence Medal

  DMech

  Driver Mechanic

  DNK

  Date Not Known

  DO

  Daily Order

  DofW

  Died of Wounds

  DofW

  Duration of War

  DOW

  Died of Wounds

  DOW

  Duration of War

  DS

  Dressing Station

  Dvr

  Driver

  EA

  Enemy Action

  EA

  Enemy Aircraft

  Ech

  Echelon

  ED

  Efficiency Decoration

  ED

  Equipment Depot

  EM

  Efficiency Medal

  Emp or Empl’d

  Employed

  ent

  Entitled

  Eqpt

  Equipment

  ERP

  Extra Regimental Pay

  Est

  Establishment

  Estab

  Establishment

  Evac

  Evacuated

  FAP

  For All Purpose

  Fd

  Field

  FDS

  Field Dressing Station

  FF

  Fire Fighter

  FF

  Fire Fighting

  FF

  Field Force

  FGCM

  Field General Court-Martial

  Fld

  Field

  Fld Pk Coy

  Field Park Company

  Fld Pk Sqn

  Field Park Squadron

  Forf

  Forfeits

  Freq

  Frequency

  Furl

  Furlough

  Fus

  Fusilier (Canadian Infantry Corps)

  Fwd

  Forward

  GCM

  General Court Martial

  Gdsm

  Guardsman

  Gdsmn

  Guardsman

  GEC

  General Employment Company

  GHQ

  General Headquarters

  Gnr

  Gunner (RCA)

  GO

  General Order

  GOC (in C)

  General Officer Commanding (in Chief)

  Gp

  Group

  Grn

  Garrison

  GRO

  General Routine Order

  GS

  General Service

  GS

  General Staff

  GSO

  General Staff Officer

  GSW

  Gun Shot Wound

  Gtd

  Granted

  H/

  Honorary (Rank)

  HAA

  Heavy Anti-Aircraft

  HD

  Holding Depot

  HD

  Home Defence

  HE

  High Explosive

  HE

  His (or Her) Excellency

  HE

  Holding Establishment

  Hosp

  Hospital

  HOW

  Howitzer

  HU

  Holding Unit

  HWE

  Home War Establishment

  hyg

  hygiene

  IAW

  In Accordance With

  incl

  include, inclusive or including

  ind

  independent

  indep

  independent

  Inf

  Infantryman

  Infmn

  Infantryman

  instr

  instructor

  instr

  instruction

  Int

  Intelligence

  KIA

  Killed in Action

  King’s

  King’s Regulations and Orders

  L/

  Lance (rank)

  L/Bdr

  Lance Bombardier (RCA)

  L/Cpl

  Lance Corporal

  L/Sgt

  Lance Sergeant

  LAA

  Light Anti-Aircraft

  LAD

  Light Aid Detachment (RCEME)

  LG

  London Gazette

  LMG

  Light Machine-Gun

  LofC

  Line(s) of Communications

  LonGaz

  London Gazette

  Lt

  Lieutenant

  Lt

  Light

  LWOP

  Leave Without Pay

  LWP

  Leave With Pay

  MA

  Meal Allowance

  MAC

  Motor Ambulance Convoy

  mag

  magazine

  mag

  magnetic

  maint

  maintenance

  Maj

  Major

  MD

  Military District

  MD

  Mentioned-in-Despatches

  MDB

  Military Detention Barracks

  mech

  mechanic, mechanical or mechanized

  med

  medical

  med

  medium

  Med

  Mediterranean

  MG

  Machine Gun

  MGTC

  Machine Gun Training Centre

  MI

  Military Intelligence

  MIA

  Missing In Action

  MID

  Mentioned in Despatches

  MMG

  Medium Machine Gun

  MO

  Medical Officer

  mov

  movement

  MP

  Military Police

  MT

  Mechanical Transport

  MT

  Motor Transport

  NCO

  Non-Commissioned Officer(s)

  NP

  Non-Permanent

  NPAM

  Non-Permanent Active Militia

  NRMA(of 1940)

  National Resources Mobilization Act of 1940

  NWE

  Northwest Europe

  O/C

  Officer Commanding

  O/Cdt

  Officer Cadet

  O/S

  Overseas

  OC

  Officer Commanding

  OCTU

  Officer Cadet Training Unit

  Oi/c

  Officer in Charge

  OIC

  Officer in Charge

  OP

  Observation Point

  ops

  operations

  OR

  Other Rank(s)

  OR

  Orderly Room

  ord

  ordnance

  OTC

  Officers Training Centre

  P&A

  Pay and Allowance(s)

  PAM

  Permanent Active Militia

  para

  parachute

  para

  paragraph

  Part II

  Part II Order(s)

  PE

  Permanent Establishment

  pet

  petrol (gasoline)

  PF

  Permanent Force

  PIAT

  Projector, Infantry, Anti-Tank

  pk

  park

  PL

  Platoon

  Pnr

  Pioneer

  posn

  position

  POW

  Prisoner Of War

  pro

  provost

  proc

  proceeded

  prov

  provisional

  Pt II O

  Part II Order(s)

  Pte

  Private

  PTO

  Part II Order(s)

  PW

  Prisoner Of War

  QM

  Quartermaster

  QMS

  Quartermaster Sergeant

  R

  Regiment

  R&A

  Rations and Allowances

  R&Q

  Rations and Quarters

  RAP

  Regimental Aid Post

  RCA

  Royal Canadian Artillery

  RCAMC

  Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps

  RCAPC

  Royal Canadian Army Pay Corps

  RCASC

  Royal Canadian Army Service Corps

  RCATC

  Royal Canadian Artillery Training Centre

  RCCS

  Royal Canadian Corps of Signals

  RCE

  Royal Canadian Engineers

  RCEME

  Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers

  RCHA

  Royal Canadian Horse Artillery

  RCOC

  Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps

  rd

  road

  rd

  round

  RDF

  Radio Direction Finding (Radar)

  RECCE

  Reconnaissance

  reg

  regulating or regulations

  Regt

  Regiment

  Regt

  Regiment

  rehab

  rehabilitation

  rep’t

  reported

  rept

  reported

  Res

  Reserve

  Rfn

  Rifleman (Canadian Infantry Corps)

  rft

  reinforcement

  Rif

  Rifleman (Canadian Infantry Corps)

  RMC

  Royal Military College of Canada (Kingston)

  RO

  Routine Order

  RQ&A

  Rations, Quarters and Allowance

  RQMS

  Regimental Quartermaster-Sergeant

  RSM

  Regimental Sergeant-Major

  RT

  Radio Telephony

  RTU

  Returned to Unit

  RWING

  Reinforcement Wing

  S/Sgt

  Staff Sergeant

  SA

  Small Arms

  SA

  South Africa or South African

  SAA

  Small Arms Ammunition

  SD or SD&T

  Staff Duties (and Training)

  SEC

  Special Employment Company

  SEP

  Special Employment Platoon

  Sig(s)

  Signal(s)

  Sigmn

  Signalman (RCCS)

  SMG

  Sub-Machine Gun

  SO

  Staff Officer

  SOE

  Special Operation Executive

  SOS

  Struck Off Strength (of a unit)

  SP

  Self-Propelled

  Spr

  Sapper (RCE)

  Spvr

  Supervisor (Auxiliary Services)

  SQMS

  Staff Quartermaster-Sergeant

  SQMS

  Squadron Quartermaster-Sergeant

  SSM

  Staff Sergeant-Major

  SSM

  Squadron Sergeant-Major

  str

  strength

  SW

  Shell Wound

  SW

  Shrapnel Wound

  swbd

  switchboard

  T&T

  Through and Through (type of wound)

  T/

  Temporary (appointed rank)

  TC

  Training Centre

  TD

  Temporary Duty

  TDR

  Tank Delivery Regiment

  tech

  technical

  tele

  telegraph or telegraphic

  Tk

  Tank

  TOET

  Test of Elementary Training

  TOS

  Taken On Strength (of a unit)

  TP

  Trades Pay à

  Tpr

  Trooper (CAC)

  tps

  troops

  tpt

  transport

  trg

  training

  TS or TSBadge

  Badge Trained Soldier’s Badge

  TSR

  Trained Soldier Regiment (Canadian Armoured Corps)

  TTS

  Trades Training School (or Technical Training School)

  TW

  Travel Warrant

  veh

  vehicle

  VTS

  Vocational Training School

  W&T

  Wireless & Telephony

  W/S

  workshop (RCOC, RCE, or RCEME)

  W/T

  Wireless Telegraphy (or Wireless Telegrapher)

  WE

  War Establishment

  wef

  with effect from

  Wks

  Works

  wksp

  workshop

  WO1 (or WO2)

  Warrant Officer, Class 1 (or Class 2)

  WOI (or WOII)

  Warrant Officer, Class 1 (or Class 2)

  A more complete list is available at Military Abbreviations used in Service Files.

• Pay rates for naval personnel from 1940 to 1946

  Pay rates for naval personnel from 1940 to 1946

  Rank	Year	Rate
  Ordinary Seaman	1940	$1.25 per day
  Ordinary Seaman	After six months of service	$1.50 per day
  Able Seaman	1940	$1.85 per day
  Subsistence Allowance Rate	1940 to 1 June 1942	$1.45 per day
  Subsistence Allowance Rate	After 1 June 1942	$1.25 per day
  Ordinary Seaman	After 1 October 1946	$50 per month
  Ordinary Seaman	After six months of service	$54 per month
  Able Seaman	After 1 October 1946	$61 per month
  Subsistence Allowance Rate	After 1 October 1946	$45 per month

• Pay rates for army personnel from 1940 to 1946

  Pay rates for army personnel from 1940 to 1946

  Rank	Year	Rate
  Private	1940	$1.30 per day
  Trades pay “A” Group	1940	$0.75 per day
  Trades pay “B” Group	1940	$0.50 per day
  Trades pay “C” Group	1940	$0.25 per day
  Dependents Allowance: Wife	1940	$35.00 per month
  Dependents Allowance: First child	1940	$12.00 per month
  Dependents Allowance: Second child	1940	$12.00 per month
  Subsistence Allowance	1940	$0.85 per day
  Private	1944	$1.30 per day
  Private	After 4 months service	$1.40 per day
  Private	After 6 months service	$1.50 per day
  Subsistence Allowance	1944	$1.25 per day
  Dependents Allowance: Wife	1944	$37.20 per month
  Dependents Allowance: First child	1944	$13.92 per month
  Dependents Allowance: Second child	1944	$12.00 per month
  Dependents Allowance: Third child	1944	$10.00 per month
  Dependents Allowance: Fourth child, Fifth child, Sixth child	1944	$8.00 per month
  Private	1 October 1946	$50.00 per month
  Private	After 4 months service	$54.00 per month
  Private	After 6 months service	$61.00 per month
  Private	3 years in rank	$3.00 per month
  Private	6 years in rank	$3.00 per month
  Subsistence Allowance	1 October 1946	$45.00
  Ration Allowance	1 October 1946	$15.00
  Marriage Allowance	1 October 1946	$20.00
  Separated Family Allowance	1 October 1946	$30.00
  Trades Pay – Group I	1 October 1946	$4.00
  Trades Pay – Group II	1 October 1946	$8.00
  Trades Pay – Group III	1 October 1946	$8.00
  Trades Pay – Group IV	1 October 1946	$8.00

• Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) pay tables

  The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) pay table shows the annual income of personnel rounded to the nearest dollar. Members of the RCAF women's division received approximately four-fifths of the amount paid to their male counterparts.

  Blank cells = not applicable

  RCAF pay table
  Officers

  Rank	Air Crew	Ground Crew	Dependents' Allowance for Wife	Dependents' Allowance for Each Child
  Wing Commander	$4,380	$3,650	$720	$144
  Squadron Leader	$3,559	$2,829	$660	$144
  Flight Lieutenant	$3,103	$2,373	$600	$144
  Flying Officer	$2,555	$1,825	$540	$144
  Pilot Officer	$2,282	$1,552	$540	$144

  Blank cells = not applicable

  RCAF pay table
  Airmen

  Rank	Air Crew	Ground Crew	Dependents' Allowance for Wife	Dependents' Allowance for Each Child	Trade Group Pay A Group	Trade Group Pay B Group	Trade Group Pay C Group
  Warrant Officer I	$1,989	$1,533	$480	$144	$274	$183	$91
  Warrant Officer II	$1,588	$1,132	$420	$144	$274	$183	$91
  Flight Sergeant	$1,369	$913	$420	$144	$274	$183	$91
  Sergeant	$1,259	$803	$420	$144	$274	$183	$91
  Corporal		$621	$420	$144	$274	$183	$91
  Leading Aircraftman		$548	$420	$144	$274	$183	$91
  Aircraftman I		$511	$420	$144	$274	$183	$91
  Aircraftman II		$475	$420	$144	$274	$183	$91

  Trade grouping

  The pay level for RCAF personnel employed in trades was based on their level of expertise. Beyond the standard enlistment level, most trades have three levels of proficiency, “A” group, “B” group, and “C” group, with “A” group being the highest level.

  An officer or airman is assigned to a trade group after his qualifications have been established by an examination called a “trades test”. For trade group pay see the RCAF pay table.

• Bibliography

  Second World War, general

  Six Years of War, (The Army in Canada, Britain and the Pacific), Volume I of the Official History of the Canadian Army in the Second World War, by Col. C.P. Stacey, Queen's Printer, Ottawa, 1955.

  The Canadians in Italy, 1943 - 1945, Volume II of the Official History of the Canadian Army in the Second World War, by Lt. Col. G.W.L. Nicholson, Queen's Printer, Ottawa, 1957.

  The Victory Campaign, (Operations in North-West Europe 1944-1945), Volume III of the Official History of the Canadian Army in the Second World War, by Col. C.P. Stacey, Queen's Printer, Ottawa, 1960.

  Second World War, Royal Canadian Navy

  The Naval Service of Canada, Official History Volumes I and II, by Gilbert Norman Tucker, King's Printer, Ottawa, 1952.

  Far Distant Ships, An Official Account of Canadian Naval Operations, by Joseph Schull, King's Printer, Ottawa, 1950. Republished by Stoddart Publishing, Toronto, 1987.

  The Ships of Canada's Naval Forces 1910-1992, by Ken Macpherson and John Burgess, Vanwell Publishing, St. Catharines, 1993.

  Second World War, Royal Canadian Air Force

  The Creation of a National Air Force, Volume II of the Official History of the Royal Canadian Air Force, by W.A.B. Douglas, University of Toronto Press, Toronto, 1986.

  The Crucible of War, 1939-1945, Volume III of the Official History of the Royal Canadian Air Force, by Brereton Greenhous, Stephen J. Harris, William C. Johnston and William G.P. Rawling, University of Toronto Press, Toronto, 1994.

  RCAF Squadron Histories and Aircraft 1924-1968, by Samuel Kostenuk and John Griffin, published by A.M. Hakkert, Toronto, 1977. Also published by Samuel Stevens and Company, Sarasota, Florida, 1977.

  They Shall Grow Not Old: a Book of Remembrance, edited by Les Allison and Harry Hayward, Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum, Brandon, Manitoba, 1992.

  Second World War online resources

  Library and Archives Canada

  A Real Companion and Friend: The Diary of William Lyon Mackenzie King (archived)

  From Colony to Country: A Reader's Guide to Canadian Military History (archived)

  Military Heritage

  Second World War Service Files: Canadian Armed Forces War Dead

  Prime Ministers' Fonds (ArchiviaNet: On-line Research Tool) (archived)

  Through a Lens: Dieppe in Photographs and Film (archived)

  Victory Bonding: Wartime Messages from Canada's Government, 1939-1945 (archived)

  Other sources

  Canadian Military History Gateway

  Canadian Virtual War Memorial

  Canadian War Brides

  Canadian War Museum

  Commonwealth War Graves Commission

  Juno Beach Centre

  Legion Magazine's Last Post Database

  Since 1928, Legion Magazine has honoured those Canadians who have served their country by publishing, in print, short death notices for Royal Canadian Legion members with military backgrounds, Canadian war veterans and Legion members with police service.

  Military History Research Centre

  The Canadian Letters & Images Project

  The Memory Project

  Veteran's Affairs Canada: Native Soldiers – Foreign Battlefields