What rank is "Master Pilot"
The other RAF use of chevrons point up [the heraldic chevron IS point up of course] was for the Good Conduct badges. My LAC father had one in WW II ......... a bit of a mystery why/when they ceased. [Come to that, so did Lawrence of Arabia in his RAF service].
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A bit like the JT, probably someones only claim to fame in the military and used as a backboard for his advancement, but in the end pointless and expensive.
All those new ranks to produce, all the literature from QR's down to amend and for what, to have a rank that is in all intent the same, but just wearing a different badge and called a different name, while making removing the progression chain and sense of it all to the rank of Chief Tech.
All those new ranks to produce, all the literature from QR's down to amend and for what, to have a rank that is in all intent the same, but just wearing a different badge and called a different name, while making removing the progression chain and sense of it all to the rank of Chief Tech.
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but in the end pointless and expensive.
I imagine someone was scratching around in MOD for something to do and came up with the idea.
For a predominately technical Service the original advancement through the technical ranks via promotion boards and time in rank made sense to most people and certainly improved one's practical skills and knowledge.
I've just read the link to Halton. I knew Pete Rushen at Bassingboun. He had an interesting career. Small world!
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but in the end pointless and expensive.
There was a lot of resentment that those who had sat on their collective backsides, and not bothered to work for and pass a trade test, suddenly were given a larger pay increase to the same as those that had done some work and proved their ability.
Tankertrashnav: many thanks.
From 1950, good conduct was assumed and unrewarded!
The army has never [as far as I can make out], formally abolished the GCB, merely ceased to award and wear it, although it lingered on well past 1950, especially on Foot Guards Home Service Dress.
As far as I know, the RN retains the badges and the monetary awards.
From 1950, good conduct was assumed and unrewarded!
The army has never [as far as I can make out], formally abolished the GCB, merely ceased to award and wear it, although it lingered on well past 1950, especially on Foot Guards Home Service Dress.
As far as I know, the RN retains the badges and the monetary awards.
Danny - still the same expression, but it's only 15 years of undetected crime these days!
Re RN long service badges, the expression "as rough as a three badge stoker" (ie one with three long service stripes) was used to epitomise the hairy a**ed and grizzled old salt, possibly not renowned for his refined language and behaviour.
I'm sure Union Jack has known a few!
Re RN long service badges, the expression "as rough as a three badge stoker" (ie one with three long service stripes) was used to epitomise the hairy a**ed and grizzled old salt, possibly not renowned for his refined language and behaviour.
I'm sure Union Jack has known a few!
I'm sure Union Jack has known a few! - TTN
Yes indeed, depending of course on one's definition of "known".....
Many of you will know the doubtless apocryphal story of the Captain doing Rounds on a Saturday morning and, on entering the Stokers' messdeck, exclaiming, "My wife would say that this mess smells like a Turkish brothel," to which the three badge Leading Hand of the Mess replied, "I'm sorry, Sir, I'm afraid I don't have your wife's experience."!
At the other end of the scale, I escorted a Field Marshal and long past CDS on a tour of my Admiral's flagship, which included stand easy (aka tea break) in the Stokers' mess. As we were about to leave, the Field Marshal in his beret and very faded woolly pully and equally faded shoulder straps asked if there were any questions, and the no badge junior stoker, who had just entered the mess with no idea of who the visitor was and whose military knowledge was somewhat lacking, said, "Yes, Sir. How come someone your age never got past Sergeant Major?"
To his credit, His Lordship was very amused.
Jack
Yes indeed, depending of course on one's definition of "known".....
Many of you will know the doubtless apocryphal story of the Captain doing Rounds on a Saturday morning and, on entering the Stokers' messdeck, exclaiming, "My wife would say that this mess smells like a Turkish brothel," to which the three badge Leading Hand of the Mess replied, "I'm sorry, Sir, I'm afraid I don't have your wife's experience."!
At the other end of the scale, I escorted a Field Marshal and long past CDS on a tour of my Admiral's flagship, which included stand easy (aka tea break) in the Stokers' mess. As we were about to leave, the Field Marshal in his beret and very faded woolly pully and equally faded shoulder straps asked if there were any questions, and the no badge junior stoker, who had just entered the mess with no idea of who the visitor was and whose military knowledge was somewhat lacking, said, "Yes, Sir. How come someone your age never got past Sergeant Major?"
To his credit, His Lordship was very amused.Jack
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The LSGCM seemed to be withheld at times for relatively trivial reasons. Around 1962 I came across a Chief Tech armourer with an AG brevet and all the ribbons you would expect, except for the LSGCM. His crime sheet showed nothing except 3 instances of AWOLWOAS, in each case late back from leave or grant during 1944/5 and none more than 12 hours. I'm pleased to say that someone higher up listened and he got his gong and the cash (6d a day?) that went with it.
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The inverted chevron is also used to denote drum and pipe majors.
There is a photo somewhere of such a case, with 3 chevrons point down above the elbow and 4 point up on the lower sleeve, of each arm.
Dunno where he would have worn his GC stripes.
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I was an ATC Cadet FS and also Sqn Band Drum Major. I don't think I had the balls to wear both sets of stripes, though, and in any case I had enough other badges and lanyards and wings [PPL and Glider].
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Hi, I have searched high and low for any information regarding my late father, M/plt Albert Dennis Rowe and to read your thread brought a tear to my eyes. He built that electronic organ as a present for my mother who was suffering from Lupus for most of her life. He got the original plans from Practical electronics magazine but having built it realised there was no `feel` to the keys...so he did what anyone would do..he re designed the electronics to make it better!.
I still find it hard to talk about my father as he was the most wonderful guy and `touched` everyond who knew hima as he was very `old school` and a perfect gentleman.
I have all of his memorabilia including button compasses, silk maps, masses of photos and of course his medals.
I would love to hear any memories you could muster up.
A very proud son
Paul
I still find it hard to talk about my father as he was the most wonderful guy and `touched` everyond who knew hima as he was very `old school` and a perfect gentleman.
I have all of his memorabilia including button compasses, silk maps, masses of photos and of course his medals.
I would love to hear any memories you could muster up.
A very proud son
Paul
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My first commercial flying job was co-pilot on Beech Kingairs. One of the old hands was "Doc" Watson who had served on Javelins with the rank of Master Pilot. I'm still here 40 years and 20,000 hours later because of the things he taught me - a "Master Pilot" in every sense.