WW1 Army Rank Structures
Introduction
I have only shown Army ranks at this time. Should I eventually add any Navy personnel to the records, I will extend this table. Australian Flying Corps personnel were part of the AIF, wearing Army rank and the eight AFC Squadrons were attached to the British Royal Flying Corps/Royal Air Force formations.
Other Ranks
The rank of Lance Sergeant is an appointment to provide status to a Corporal acting in the capacity of a Sergeant within the Infantry Battalions where absences due to illness or wounds was common. They wore the same three stripes as a Sergeant, but were appointed by the Commanding Officer who could rescind the appointment whenever necessary whereas a sergeant promoted substantively can only be stripped of rank by a Court Martial.
The Lance Sergeant was a formal rank in the Light Horse Regiments and was the senior sergeant who literally held the lance bearing the brigade pennant. The appointment no longer exists.
I have included the group titles which evolved over time, and while they seem complex there is a logic to it which enables specific rank groups to be quickly and specifically designated.
No Insignia |
Recruit
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Rank and File |
Other Ranks |
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No Insignia |
Private1
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Lance Corporal
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Junior
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Non-Commissioned
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Corporal
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Lance Sergeant
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Senior
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Sergeant
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Staff Sergeant2
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Warrant Officer
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Warrant Officers |
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Warrant Officer
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1. Equivalent ranks include Craftsman (CFN), Driver (DVR), Gunner (GNR), Pioneer (PNR), Sapper (SPR), Signaller (SIG) and Trooper (TPR).
2. Sometimes seen as Colour Sergeant.
3. WO1 Rank insignia up until the early 1970s was the British Coat of Arms ('Galloping Horses'), when it was replaced by the Australian Coat of Arms.
Commissioned Officers
The grouping of officers has changed over time as warfare has changed, and the following represents the current situation.
Images are from Wikipedia. Brigadier-General rank insignia was the crossed sword and baton during WW1 and following, but after dropping the "General" appellation, the rank now has 3 stars, or "pips" as they are generally known, over the crossed sword and baton.
Being under training, Officer Cadets are not yet commissioned officers.
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Officer Cadet (OCDT) |
Trainees |
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Staff Cadet (SCDT) |
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Second Lieutenant (2LT) |
Company
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Lieutenant (LT) |
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Captain (CAPT) |
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Major (MAJ) |
Field
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Lieutenant
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Colonel (COL) |
Senior Officers |
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Brigadier General
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Major General
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General Officers |
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Lieutenant General
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General(GEN) |