What puzzles me is the reference to ROYAL Warrant: I thought the essence of WO - ship was that the Warrant was from the Secretary of State, and not the Monarch. The latter surely for commissioned officers?
No. Warrant officers hold a Royal Warrant. It is signed by Sec Def, but is in the Monarch's name.
Not that it makes any difference. The oath of allegiance (for Army & RAF) binds the soldier or airman to obey the orders of "Generals and officers set over me". No reference to commissions or warrants. A Lance Corporal derives his authority from the Monarch as much as an MRAF. This of course has led to innumerate problems between RAF SAC(T)s and LCpls. LCpls are officers, SACs are not. Same as Flt Sgts are not WOs, but WO2s are. But then a Flt Sgt's next promotion is to WO, which is above WO2.