Abbreviation "Spr" in Military Records

[radaniel57]

Very Good list.

I am doing some research on my grandfather's brother who along with my Grandfather was in the CEF 1915 - 1919. I have his attestation papers, and have applied for his package from Ottawa. I also did some research in the returning to Canada ship passenger lists (#T-4818 to be exact) & found him. There is a column on the passenger list that gives the rank of the soldier. I know he was a private, but beside his name is the acronym (Spr) several soldiers have those letters & the rest have the usual [ pte ] private, [sgt] Sergeant, [Dvr] driver,[ S/sgt] staff sargeant?,[ L/cpl], lance corporal? [cpl] corporal etc.

Do you know what spr means?

 

[Michael OLeary]

"Spr" in the rank column would mean "Sapper", the equivalent to the rank of Private in the Engineers.

 

[radaniel57]

Thanks Michael

Interesting. I was told he was in the Artillery & also a foot Soldier, so I guess in the 4 years he was overseas he must have been moved to different areas of the Military. I assume "Engineering" would be setting up of tents, temporary bridges, buildings, digging trenches,  etc?

Thank you 

 

[meaf0rdm0]

the term sapper was given to the men who would tunnel under the walls of the castles during mid evil times, because they used to fill the tunnel with branches and wood and put tree pitch on the wood to help the keep the fire burning so it would soften up the ground and the wall would cave in so that is where the term Sapper came from the person that applies the Tree Sap

 

[dw_1984]

Thanks Michael

Interesting. I was told he was in the Artillery & also a foot Soldier, so I guess in the 4 years he was overseas he must have been moved to different areas of the Military. I assume "Engineering" would be setting up of tents, temporary bridges, buildings, digging trenches,   etc?

Thank you  

You forgot DEMOLITIONS.  Who doesn't like a big bang?  ;D

 

[sapper07]

1.    French Army, digging a trench under fire was known as "driving a sap" and the men who did this were known as "sapeurs."  Thus, the term "sappers" became associated with engineers.