APO - what is the substantive rank?
After two years in UBAS in the 60s as a Cadet Pilot and after obtaining my Budgie Wings, I was commissioned as an Acting Pilot Officer.
I've been prompted to ask a question about the Acting part of my rank, after reading a marvellous biography of Bill Slim:
"Uncle Bill: The Authorised Biography of Field Marshal Viscount Slim" by Russell Miller.
It was of particular interest to me, because my Dad was a tank driver at Imphal.
I read that in 1944, Slim held the acting rank of Lieutenant General, but the substantive rank of Colonel.
After reading that, it made me wonder about the whole "acting rank" business and in particular, my rank. Since Pilot Officer is the lowest officer rank, and I was an APO, what was my substantive rank? Cadet Pilot or something else - AC?