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Warrant Officer Class I
Warrant Officer
Class I was a rank created during the First World War in the
Canadian Army.
In May 1915, appointments previously warranted were given the rank
of Warrant Officer Class I (the senior grade), while some
appointees previously ranked as senior Sergeants now became graded
as Warrant Officer Class II. The new rank of WO II was not
recognized in Canada, however.
No warrant
officers, class "1", have been, or will be appointed in the CEF
in Canada.
There is not, nor has there ever been, any such rank as warrant
officer Class "2" in Canada. Therefore, NCOs who have held
warrant rank Class "2" overseas, automatically lose the same on
return to Canada.
Warrant officers Class "1", who have received their warrants in
the field, are permitted to retain their rank in the CEF, in
Canada, provided they do not accept an appointment lower than
that for which the warrant was granted.1
Rank Insignia
The insignia for this rank was originally either a crown and wreath
or a Royal Arms badge, generally worn in brass. Other devices were
added according to the soldier's trade or employment. In 1918, a
Royal Arms in wreath badge was introduced for Conductors.
During the Second World War, embroidered badges of wool (worsted)
and khaki drill denim insignia were most common, though the older
metal badges were seen on greatcoats or on leather wristbands.
The insignia was worn
on the lower forearm of both sleeves of uniform garments, including
Battle Dress Blouses, Khaki Drill Jackets, Bush Dress, Service
Dress, and Greatcoats. The metal badge was also seen worn on a
leather bracelet on the left wrist when in short-sleeved shirt as
part of Summer Dress.
The rank was
effectively replaced after Unification with that of Chief Warrant
Officer in the newly combined Canadian Armed Forces.
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Royal
Arms badge in Metal, as worn on Service Dress. |
After the
Korean War, the insignia of a Warrant Officer Class I
was changed from the British Royal Arms to the Canadian
Coat of arms. Examples above show the worsted badges as
worn on Battle Dress. |
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Regimental Sergeants Major of The Canadian Guards wore a
large badge on the sleeve in the style of British Foot
Guards regiments. The service dress version was rendered
in full colour on a khaki melton backing and measured
5-3/4" tall. |
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Appointments and
Insignia
May 1915-1939
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Insignia |
Appointment/Title |
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- Conductor, Army Ordnance Corps
- 1st Class Staff Sergeant Major, Army Service Corps
- 1st Class Staff Sergeant Major, Army Pay Corps
- Master Gunner 1st Class
- Schoolmaster, 1st Class
In October 1918, the Royal Arms in Wreath badge was
adopted by the British Army to identify a Conductor, it is possible
Canada adopted the same badge at that time.
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- Sub-Conductor, Army Ordnance Corps
- Garrison Sergeant Major
- Schoolmaster
- Sergeant-Major
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- Farrier Corporal Major
- Farrier Sergeant Major
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- Sergeant Major, Gymnastic Staff
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- Sergeant Major, School of Musketry
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- Sergeant Major, Bandmaster (except Household Cavalry and Foot Guards)
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1939-Unification
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Insignia |
Appointment/Title |
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- Conductor (RCOC)
- Staff Sergeant Major 1st Class
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- Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM)
- Armourer Sergeant Major
- Farrier Sergeant Major
- Topographic Surveyor Sergeant Major
- Garrison Sergeant Major
- Artificer Sergeant Major
- Clerk
- Foreman of Signals, Sergeant Major
- Saddler Sergeant Major
- Accountant Signals, Sergeant Major
- Signals, Sergeant Major
- Foreman of Works Sergeant Major
- Sergeant Major, Artillery Clerk
- Armament Sergeant Major
- Draughtsman Signals, Sergeant Major
- Lithographer Sergeant Major
- Sergeant Major Instructor (Instructional Cadre)
- Mechanist Sergeant Major
- Staff Sergeant Major
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Sub-Conductor, (RCOC)
- Superintending Clerk
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Two Canadian artillery soldiers
in Dieppe in September 1944; at left a sergeant (note "gun"
badge over his 3-bar chevron) and at right a warrant officer
Class I wearing the worsted Royal Arms badge on his battle dress
in regulation position.
Notes
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CEF Orders,
Ottawa, reprinted in: Law, Clive M. Khaki: Uniforms of the
Canadian Expeditionary Force (Service Publications,
Nepean, ON, 1997). ISBN 0969984545
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