Originally Posted by
Roadster280
The Army has had “super WOs” since long before aircraft were thought of, thus begetting a third service, let alone NATO, in the form of Conductors. This is in addition to certain appointments of other WOs. The recent fad for non-jobs for WOs I agree is pointless, but all three services and CDS has signed up for them. None of the services are blameless.
Ah! That old Conductor myth.
For a short period, 1879 to 1881, conductors were the ONLY warrant officers in the army.
Before 1879, but not continuously, the following were warrant officers: hospital mates, master gunners of Coast Brigades, cavalry troop quartermasters and schoolmasters.
From 1881 conductors were in the top status group of the most senior warrant officers, which included master gunner first. Queen's Regs of the period, and KR subsequently, make the point that conductors headed the list because it was alphabetical. Precedence within the top group between individuals was to be decided by date of warrant or appointment.
From 1989, when the RA and the RM appointed Corps WOs, the conductors were on the way down a slippery slope, and subsequent inventions of two even higher levels [Army Command and SEAC] have put the conductors below the salt.
This all gives the badge inventors a chance to produce designs that become progressively uglier, like the incumbents.