Looking For Info On The Sergeant Major Insignia

[Snell_C_R_W]

I hope this is where i can post this, but i am looking to honor my grandfather Sgt Major Walter Snell who just passed away last week, he served in second world war and like i said i want to honor him by getting his rank insignia tattooed on my arm with his name.

   Now I tried searching your sight but to no avail and i am hoping that someone can either link the Jpg of the insignia or directally send me the jpg it self. Please send me a message if you can email me the jpg or just a link to it would be great as i wish not to make my email public.


To all the members of the Canadian Military you are doing such a fantastic job and we all are proud of you!


Thanking You In Advance
Civilian Chris Snell

 

[Nfld Sapper]

First, condolences to your family.

Second,  Currently a Sergeant Major is an appointment rather than a rank.

Sergeant-Major is not a rank, but the senior non-commissioned appointment in an army unit. The sergeant-major of a unit is normally directly responsible to the Commanding Officer (CO) for all matters pertaining to dress, deportment, discipline, and morale of the non-commissioned members (NCMs) of that unit.

The Regimental Sergeant-Major (RSM) is the senior appointment in a battalion-sized unit, including infantry battalions and artillery, armoured, engineer, and signal regiments; this appointment is normally held by a Chief Warrant Officer (CWO).

In company-sized units, the Company Sergeant-Major (CSM) generally holds the rank of Master Warrant Officer (MWO), although in some cases it may be held by a Warrant Officer (WO). In artillery batteries, this appointment is known as Battery Sergeant-Major (BSM), while in units with a cavalry heritage (armoured, combat engineer, and signals squadrons), the term is Squadron Sergeant-Major (SSM).

In company-sized sub-units of battalions or regiments, the CSM (or equivalent) normally answers both to his or her Officer Commanding (OC) for matters pertaining to the Company in particular, and to the RSM on matters of concern to the RSM. Thus, in a Signal Regiment, the SSM of 1 Squadron (1 Sqn) would be report to the OC of 1 Sqn for all activities within that Sqn; he or she would also be responsible for drill, dress, etc matters to the RSM, who is responsible for such matters regiment-wide.

CSMs and their equivalents are normally addressed as "Sergeant-Major" or by rank; by subordinates they are thereafter as "Sir", "Ma'am", or "Warrant" (WOs) as appropriate. "CSM" ("BSM", "SSM") is a title normally reserved for use by the CO.

RSMs are never addressed as "Sergeant-Major"; they are addressed by rank or as "Mr (Surname)" or "Ms (Surname)", and thereafter by subordinates as "Sir" or "Ma'am". "RSM" is reserved for use by the CO.

In some unusual cases, a Chief Petty Officer 1st or 2nd Class may succeed to a Sergeant-Major position, especially in units which are not part of Land Force Command (such as Communication Reserve units), or units with a large number of "purple trades", such as service battalions. The forms of address generally remain the same, except that Chief Petty Officers are never addressed as "Sir" or "Ma'am", but as "Chief".

 

[Snell_C_R_W]

Thank You,

So does that mean that there is no insignia? or do i have to find out something More specific about his rank? I am sorry for the ignorance but i know nothing of the military life

 

[Nfld Sapper]

Thank You,

So does that mean that there is no insignia? or do i have to find out something More specific about his rank? I am sorry for the ignorance but i know nothing of the military life

No problem there.

Umm.... I'm sure one of our resident history experts will be along shortly with more information. I will try and dig abit and see what I can find for you.

 

[armyvern]

Thank You,

So does that mean that there is no insignia? or do i have to find out something More specific about his rank? I am sorry for the ignorance but i know nothing of the military life

They wear a rank badge.

But, first you'll have to confirm exactly what kind of "Sergeant Major" he was (ie what appointment he held).

There's RSMs: Regimental Sergeant Majors ... who hold the rank of Chief Warrant Officer;
There's Company Sergeant Majors ... who hold the rank of Master Warrant Officer;
There's Base RSMs ... who are also Chief Warrant Officers with crossed swords below their rank;

etc.

Perhaps if you know what positions he had served in, or the actual rank that he held ... we could narrow down what you're looking for a little easier. Getting you the rank pic won't be a problem -- but seeing as how you want to have it tattoo'd ... it'd be nice if we could get it right for you.

Vern

 

[Nfld Sapper]

Hey Vern I think he is looking for the WW2 insignia for a SM.

 

[armyvern]

Hey Vern I think he is looking for the WW2 insignia for a SM.

Yep. I gather that. I (well work does anyway!!) have a very nice display of all the rank badges, buttons and bows for things like ... Armed Forces Day displays etc.    Do you think anything ever left the building with the departure of the RCOC??!!  >

Oh -- and I do own a digi cam!!

 

[Nfld Sapper]

Yep. I gather that. I (well work does anyway!!) have a very nice display of all the rank badges, buttons and bows for things like ... Armed Forces Day displays etc.    Do you think anything ever left the building with the departure of the RCOC??!!  >

Oh -- and I do own a digi cam!!

LOL guess you also have one of those "Heritage Cases" too  ;D

 

[Nfld Sapper]

So a bit more info:

Army Warrant Officers' also used rank badges based on British designs:

A Warrant Officer I Class wore the coat of arms of Canada; before the 1950s, the British Royal Coat of Arms was worn.
A Warrant Officer II Class wore a Crown (either St. Edward's Pattern or Tudor Pattern, as described under officers' insignia above) within a wreath.
During the Second World War, a Warrant Officer Class III had worn a plain crown; this rank was abolished in practice during, and officially after, the war

 

[Snell_C_R_W]

well i remembered his obituary  said more about his life in the army so word for word here goes:
Veteran  of second world war from 1939-45, serving with Princess Louise Fusiliers from 1937-May 1940, Royal Canadian Engineers 1940-1945 then joined the Reserve Army with R.C.A.S.C. from 1946-1965 and retired Regimental Seargent Major .

Then it goes on about life after the army. I hope this can narrow it down a little better

 

[Snell_C_R_W]

Also is there a posting somewhere about what medals of bravery were for, because i and getting his medals from the war and would like to know what each stands for

 

[Nfld Sapper]

For your own information (if you didn't already know)

R.C.A.S.C = Royal Canadian Army Service Corps

 

[the 48th regulator]

http://rankmaven.tripod.com/caniarmold.htm

Has a detailed descritions of rank insignia from WW1, WW2, up until 1968.

dileas

tess

 

[Snell_C_R_W]

that's great but still not to clear of a picture so i can get it tattooed, but thank you for your help i am learning alot about the Canadian Army lol

 

[dapaterson]

If you can post a picture of his medals there are people here who can direct you to references that will explain each one.  If he was the recipient of a Medal of Bravery, there will exist somewhere in the Government archives a description of what he did to receive it.

From your synopsis of his service, it appears that he joined the militia with the Princess Louise Fusiliers (they're in Halifax) and probably was an infantryman; then joined the Royal Canadian Engineers and served with them through WW2.  There is an official history of the RCE; most university libraries have copies.  If you can find out which company of the RCE he served with those histories can give you more information about what he did during the War.  Finally, he stayed with the Reserve Army after demobilization, serving with the RCASC; if you can let us know where he lived someone may be able to steer you towards a current Reserve unit that may have some photos or information about his service (it was 43 years ago, but many units have at the very least photos of former COs and RSMs).


I will echo the condolences to you and your family. You can be proud of him and his service to our nation.

 

[Snell_C_R_W]

if you mean post army he lived in Dartmouth N.S. but if you are talking about where he was posted (i don't think you mean this but just in case) i have no idea where he was posted in WWII.

  Thanks again and you want to believe i am proud of him and everyone else that has or is currentally serving with the Canadian Military, its just unfortunately we tend to be the but of alot of jokes of people from the states mostly, but then i shut them up by listing off the things in the world that Canadians have brought to this world lol

 

[dapaterson]

If he settled in Dartmouth after WWII then the Service Battalion in Halifax was probably the unit he served with.  Tomorrow I'll dig up contact information and post it here for you.

 

[Snell_C_R_W]

thank you very much everything is greatly appreciated, like i said i just want something that means alot to him to symbolize what he meant to me, so i figured his army rank insignia would be great

 

[dapaterson]

33 Svc Bn in Halifax is likely the unit where he was RSM.  You can contact them by mail at:

33 (HALIFAX) SERVICE BATTALION
PO BOX 99000 STN FORCES
HALIFAX NS  B3K 5X5

I don't have a phone number handy here.

Hope this is of some help.

 

[muffin]

Some 33 Service Battalion contact numbers:

(902) 722-7989; (902) 722-4333