Second World War: information package

Second World War personnel files

These information sheets will help to interpret the documents found in the service files of Canadian military personnel.

  • Abbreviations: Royal Canadian Air Force personnel records

    List of some of the abbreviations which might occur in the enclosed Royal Canadian Air Force personnel records

    a/
    acting (rank)
    AC1
    Aircraftman 1st Class
    AC2
    Aircraftman 2nd Class
    ACHQ
    Air Command Headquarters
    ACHQ
    Area Combined Headquarters
    Act
    Acting (Rank)
    ACU
    Aircrew Conditioning Units
    ADC
    Aerodrome Defence Company
    ADC
    Air Detection Corps
    adm
    Admitted
    AEM
    Air Engine Mechanic
    AFHQ
    Air Force Headquarters
    AFM
    Air Frame Mechanic
    AFS
    Advanced Flying School
    AFU
    Advance Flying Unit
    AG
    Air Gunner
    AGGTS
    Air Gunners Ground Training School
    AGS
    Air Gunnery School
    AGTS
    Aircrew Graduate Training Schools
    AHU
    Administrative and Holding Units
    AID
    Aeronautical Inspection District
    AirB
    Air Bomber
    AMD
    Auxiliary Manning Depot
    ANS
    Air Navigation School
    AOC
    Air Officer Commanding
    AOS
    Air Observer School
    APE
    Address Prior to Enlistment
    ARC
    Appraisal and Refresher Course
    Arm(BorG)
    Armourer (Bombs or Guns)
    auth
    Authority, Authorized
    Awd’d
    Awarded
    AWL
    absent with leave
    AWOL
    absent without leave
    AY@ Depot
    Overseas Transit Depot
    BGS
    Bombing and Gunnery School
    B & GFU
    Bombing and Gunnery Flying Unit
    BAT
    Beam Approach Training
    BR
    Bomber Reconnaissance Squadron
    BSU
    Bombing Survey Unit
    C/O
    Commanding Officer
    CFS
    Central Flying Schools
    C-in-C
    Commander in Chief
    CIU
    Clinical Investigation Units
    CLK
    Clerk
    CMU
    Construction and Maintenance Units
    CTS
    Composite Training School
    CU
    Conversion Unit
    CVSM
    Canadian Volunteer Service Medal
    dis
    Discharged
    DRO
    Daily Routine Order
    DT
    Driver Transport
    EA
    Enemy Action
    EA
    Enemy Aircraft
    EAC
    Eastern Air Command
    ED
    Efficiency Decoration
    ED
    Equipment Depot
    EFTS
    Elementary Flying Training School(s)
    Elect
    Electrician
    Emb
    Embarked
    Eqpm. Ass't
    Equipment Assistant
    Eqpt
    Equipment
    Est
    Establishment
    Estab
    Establishment
    F/C
    Flight Commander
    FIS
    Flying Instructors Schools
    FL
    Flying List
    F/Lt
    Flight Lieutenant
    Flt Eng
    Flight Engineer
    F/S
    Flight Sergeant
    Flt/Sgt
    Flight Sergeant
    F/O
    Flying Officer
    FTU
    Flying Training Unit
    FW
    Fighter Wing
    G/C
    Group Captain
    GD
    General Duties
    GIS
    Ground Instructors School
    GRS
    General Reconnaissance School
    HCU
    Heavy Conversion Unit
    HE
    High Explosive
    HE
    Home Establishment
    HWE
    Home War Establishment
    IFS
    Instrument Flying School
    ITS
    Initial Training School
    KIA
    Killed in Action
    LAC
    Leading Aircraftman
    LAW
    Leading Aircraftwoman
    LG
    London Gazette
    LWOP
    Leave Without Pay
    LWP
    Leave With Pay
    Mach
    Machinist
    MD
    Manning Depot
    mech
    mechanic, mechanical or mechanized
    MIA
    Missing In Action
    MID
    Mentioned in Despatches
    MM
    Motor Mechanic
    N/E Unit
    Non-Effective Unit
    Nav
    Navigator
    NETD
    Non-Effective Transit Depot
    NWAC
    North West Air Command
    Oi/c
    Officer in Charge
    OIC
    Officer in Charge
    OTS
    Operational Training Squadron
    OTU
    Operational Training Unit(s)
    P/L
    Privilege Leave
    P/O
    Pilot Officer
    PRC
    Personnel Reception Centre
    PTU
    Port Transit Unit(s)
    RC
    Recruiting Centre(s)
    RC
    Release or Reselection Centre(s)
    RD
    Repair (or Repatriation) Depot
    RDF
    Radio Direction Finding (Radar)
    RNS
    Radio and Navigation School
    RU
    Radio Unit
    S/L
    Squadron Leader
    SAN
    School of Air Navigation
    SE
    Servicing Echelon
    SFTS
    Service Flying Training School
    SgtP
    Sergeant Pilot
    SgtPlt
    Sergeant Pilot
    SLTW
    Special Leave Travel Warrant
    SOS
    Struck Off Strength
    SR
    Special Reserve
    SU
    Staging Unit
    T/
    Temporary (appointed rank)
    TAC
    Tactical Air Command
    TAF
    Tactical Air Force
    TD
    Temporary Duty
    TOS
    Taken On Strength (of a unit)
    TTS
    Technical Training Schools
    UT
    Under Training
    W/C
    Wing Commander
    W/Mech
    Wireless Mechanic
    W/O
    Wireless Operator
    W/Op
    Wireless Operator
    W/T
    Wireless Telegraphy (or Wireless Telegrapher)
    WAC
    Western Air Command
    WAG
    Wireless Operator or Wireless Air Gunner
    wef
    with effect from
    WEM
    Wireless and Electrical Mechanic (Radar)
    Wg
    Wing
    WgHq
    Wing Headquarters
    WO1 (or WO2)
    Warrant Officer, Class 1 (or Class 2)
    WOAG
    Wireless Operator/Air Gunner
    WOI (or WOII)
    Warrant Officer, Class 1 (or Class 2)
    WS
    Wireless School

    A more complete list is available at Military abbreviations used in Service Files.

  • Abbreviations: Royal Canadian Navy personnel records

    List of some of the abbreviations which might occur in the enclosed Royal Canadian Navy personnel records

    A Ck
    Assistant Cook
    a/
    acting (rank)
    A/G
    Anti-Gas
    A/S
    Anti-Submarine
    A/SA
    Anti-Submarine Artificer
    A/SD
    Anti-Submarine Detector
    A/STTV
    Anti-Submarine Target Towing Vessels
    A/SYacht
    Anti-Submarine Yacht
    A/T
    Anti-Torpedo
    A/T
    Auxiliary Tanker
    AB
    Able Seaman
    Act
    Acting (Rank)
    AE
    Algerine Escorts
    AFO
    Admiralty Fleet Orders
    AM
    Air Mechanic
    AMC
    Armed Merchant Cruiser
    AO
    Accountant Officer
    ASW
    Anti-Submarine Warfare
    auth
    Authorized, Authority
    AuxMS
    Auxiliary Minesweepers
    Awd’d
    Awarded
    AWL
    absent without leave
    AWOL
    absent without leave
    B. Main
    Boom Maintenance Vessels
    BAV
    Boom Attendant Vessels
    BDV
    Boom Defence Vessel
    Blksmth
    Blacksmith
    BMV
    Boom Maintenance Vessels
    Bosn
    Boatswain
    BSS
    Base Supply Ship
    Btswn
    Boatswain
    C/EA
    Chief Electrical Artificer
    C/ERA
    Chief Engine Room Artificer
    C/Mech
    Chief Mechanic
    C/MM
    Chief Motor Mechanic
    C/O
    Commanding Officer
    C/PO
    Chief Petty Officer
    C/RA
    Chief Radio Artificer
    Canavhed
    Canadian Naval Headquarters
    Capt(D)
    Captain (Destroyers)
    Cdr
    Coder
    Cdr
    Commander
    Cdr(D)
    Commander (Destroyers)
    CDRE
    Commodore
    Cdt
    Cadet
    CGS
    Canadian Government Ship
    Chap
    Chaplain
    ChO
    Chief Officer
    ChSkr
    Chief Skipper
    C-in-C
    Commander in Chief
    Ck(O)
    Cook (Officers)
    Ck(S)
    Cook (Seamen)
    CM/L
    Controlled Mine Laying
    Cmdre
    Commodore
    CNO
    Canadian Naval Order
    CNS
    Chief of Naval Staff
    Comm
    Commodore
    Convoy Sig
    Convoy Signalman
    Cor
    Corvettes
    Cox’n
    Coxswain
    Csr
    Cruiser
    CSTV
    Coil Skids Towing Vessel (Note: for degaussing ships)
    CV
    Carrier Vessel (fleet aircraft carrier)
    CVE
    Carrier Vessel Escort (Escort Carrier)
    D/C
    Depth Charge
    DA/S
    Director of Anti-Submarine
    DAB
    Dependents Allowance Board
    DD
    Destroyer Division (U.S.)
    DE
    Destroyer Escort Vessel (U.S.)
    DEMS
    Defensively Equipped Merchant Ships
    DTC
    Discharge Transit Centre
    EA
    Enemy Action
    EA
    Enemy Aircraft
    EA 1c (or 2c, 3c, 4c, 5c)
    Electrical Artificer, 1st Class (or 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th Class)
    ED
    Efficiency Decoration
    ED
    Equipment Depot
    Eqpt
    Equipment
    ER
    Engine Room Artificer
    ERA, 1c (or 2c, 3c, 4c, 5c)
    Engine Room Artificer, 1st Class (or 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th Class)
    st
    Establishment
    Estab
    Establishment
    ExVes
    Examination Vessels
    FAA
    Fleet Air Arm
    FF
    Fire Fighter
    Fgt
    Frigate
    Fri
    Frigate
    FR
    Fishermen’s Reserve
    G’nr
    Gunner
    GV
    Gate Vessels
    HC
    Harbour Craft
    HDC
    Harbour Defence Craft
    HMCS
    His (or Her) Majesty’s Canadian Ship
    HMS
    His (or Her) Majesty’s Ship
    HMT
    His (or Her) Majesty’s Transport
    HPC
    Harbour Patrol Crafts
    Indef.Lve.
    Indefinite Leave
    Instr.Cdr.
    Instructor Commander
    KIA
    Killed in Action
    KRCN
    King’s Regulations for the Canadian Navy
    L/
    Leading
    L/S
    Leading Seaman
    L/SA
    Leading Stores Assistant
    L/Sto
    Leading Stoker
    LCI(L)
    Landing Craft Infantry (Large)
    LCI(S)
    Landing Craft Infantry (Small)
    LLV
    Loop Laying Vessel (Note: for degaussing ships)
    LSBA
    Leading Sick Berth Attendant
    LSI(M)
    Landing Ship Infantry (Medium)
    LtCdr
    Lieutenant Commander
    LWOP
    Leave Without Pay
    LWP
    Leave With Pay
    M/S
    Minesweeper(s)
    MAA
    Master At Arms
    MDC
    Mobile Deperming Craft (Note: for degaussing ships)
    MDU
    Mobile Deperming Unit (Note: for degaussing ships)
    mech
    mechanic, mechanical or mechanized
    MGB
    Motor Gun Boat
    MHC
    Miscellaneous Harbour Craft
    MIA
    Missing In Action
    Mid
    Midshipman
    MID
    Mentioned in Despatches
    ML
    Motor Launch
    MLV
    Mine Laying Vessels
    MM
    Motor Mechanic
    MTB
    Motor Torpedo Boat
    MV
    Merchant Vessel
    MV
    Motor Vessel
    NOIC
    Naval Officer in Charge
    NStr
    Nursing Sisters
    O/
    Ordinary (rank)
    O/S
    Ordinary Seaman
    OA, 1c (or 2c, 3c, 4c, 5c)
    Ordnance Artificer, 1st Class (or 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th Class)
    Oi/c
    Officer in Charge
    OIC
    Officer in Charge
    OO
    Ordnance Officer
    P/O
    Petty Officer
    PB
    Patrol Boat
    Photo
    Photographer
    Physio
    Physiotherapist
    Plbr
    Plumber
    Pntr
    Painter
    Prob
    Probationer; Probationary
    Ptlmn
    Patrolman
    PV
    Patrol Vessel
    Q&R
    Quarters and Rations
    QR
    Quarter Ratings
    R-A
    Rear Admiral
    RA, 1c (or 2c, 3c, 4c, 5c)
    Radio Artificer, 1st Class (or 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th Class)
    RCN
    Royal Canadian Navy
    RCNH
    Royal Canadian Naval Hospital
    RCNR
    Royal Canadian Naval Reserve
    RCNR(FR)
    Royal Canadian Naval Reserve (Fisherman’s Reserve)
    RCNVR
    Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve
    RDF
    Radio Direction Finding (Radar)
    RNAS
    Royal Naval Air Service
    RTO
    Return to Owners
    S/Lt or SLt
    Sub-Lieutenant
    SA
    Stores Assistant
    SBA
    Sick Berth Attendant
    Schnr
    Schooner
    SCNO
    Senior Canadian Naval Officer
    SCTW
    Special Concession Travel Warrant
    Sg. Lt. (SgL)
    Surgeon Lieutenant
    Sgmn
    Signalman
    Shpt, 1c (or 2c, 3c, 4c, 5c)
    Shipwright, 1st Class (or 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th Class)
    Sig
    Signalman
    Skr
    Skipper
    Slmk
    Sailmaker
    SNLR
    Services No Longer Required
    SNO
    Senior Naval Officer
    SO
    Stores Officer
    SO(I)
    Staff Officer (Intelligence)
    SOS
    Struck Off Strength
    SP
    Shore Patrol
    SPO
    Stoker Petty Officer
    SS
    Steamship
    Stew
    Steward
    Sto 1c (or 2c)
    Stoker, 1st Class (or 2nd Class)
    Stwd
    Steward
    Sub-Lt (Sub-Lieut)
    Sub-Lieutenant
    SV
    Supply Vessels
    (ty)
    Temporary
    T
    Torpedo
    T/
    Temporary (appointed rank)
    Tel
    Telegraphist
    TOS
    Taken On Strength (of a unit)
    TrgVes
    Training Vessels
    Trshp
    Troop Ships
    UNTD
    University Naval Training Division
    V-A
    Vice-Admiral
    VS
    Victualling Storesman
    W/T
    Wireless Telegraphy (or Wireless Telegrapher)
    wef
    with effect from
    WK
    Watchkeeping Certificate
    WO1 (or WO2)
    Warrant Officer, Class 1 (or Class 2)
    WOI (or WOII)
    Warrant Officer, Class 1 (or Class 2)
    WRCNS
    Women’s Royal Canadian Naval Service
    wt
    warrant
    wtr
    writer
    XV
    Examination Vessels
    Yeo
    Yeoman
    YeoSigs
    Yeoman of Signals

    A more complete list is available at Military abbreviations used in Service Files.

  • Abbreviations: Canadian army personnel records

    List of some of the abbreviations which might occur in the enclosed Canadian Army personnel records

    21AG
    21st Army Group
    A&T Staff
    Administration and Training Staff
    a/
    acting (rank)
    A/A
    Anti-Aircraft
    A/A
    Army Act
    AAI
    Allied Armies in Italy
    Act
    Acting (Rank)
    ADC
    Aide-de-Camp
    Adj
    Adjutant
    Adjt
    Adjutant
    adm
    Admitted
    ADS
    Advanced Dressing Station
    Adv
    Advance or Advanced
    AHU
    Administrative Holding Unit
    AHU
    Artillery Holding Unit
    allce
    Allowance
    Armd
    Armoured
    Arty
    Artillery
    auth
    Authorized, Authority
    Aux Serv
    Canadian Auxiliary Services
    Awd’d
    Awarded
    AWL
    absent with leave
    AWOL
    absent without leave
    Batt’n
    Battalion
    Bde
    Brigade
    Bdr
    Bombardier (Royal Canadian Army)
    BGH
    British General Hospital
    Bn
    Battalion
    BOD
    Base Ordnance Depot
    BQMS
    Battery Quartermaster-Sergeant
    Brig
    Brigadier
    BSM
    Battery Sergeant-Major
    Bty
    Battery
    BW
    Blast wound
    BWI
    British West Indies
    C/O
    Commanding Officer
    CA(A)
    Canadian Army (Active)
    CA(A)TC
    Canadian Army (Advanced) Training Centre
    CA(AF)
    Canadian Army (Active Force)
    CA(B)TC
    Canadian Army (Basic) Training Centre
    CAB W/S
    Canadian Armoured Brigade Workshop (RCEME)
    CAC
    Canadian Armoured Corps (becomes RCAC after 2 August 1945)
    CACRU
    Canadian Armoured Corps Reinforcement Unit
    CACTR
    Canadian Armoured Corps Training Regiment
    CACTSR
    Canadian Armoured Corps Trained Soldiers Regiment
    CAHU
    Canadian Artillery Holding Unit
    CAMMS
    Canadian Army Motor Mechanic School
    CAOF
    Canadian Army Occupation Force
    CAPF
    Canadian Army Pacific Force
    CAPO
    Canadian Army Post Office
    CAR
    Canadian Armoured Regiment
    CARU
    Canadian Armoured Reinforcement Unit
    Cas
    casualty
    CASCRU
    Canadian Army Service Corps Reinforcement Unit
    CASF
    Canadian Active Service Force
    CATC
    Canadian Armoured Training Centre
    CATR
    Canadian Army Tank Regiment
    CATS
    Canadian Army Tank School
    CATS
    Canadian Army Training School
    CB
    Confined to Barracks
    CBD
    Canadian Base Depot
    CCS
    Casualty Clearing Station
    CDB
    Canadian Detention Barracks
    CDIRU
    Canadian Divisional Infantry Reinforcement Unit
    CERU
    Canadian Engineer Reinforcement Unit
    CFA
    Canadian Field Ambulance
    CFA
    Canadian Field Artillery
    CFD
    Canadian Forces Decoration
    CFH
    Canadian Field Hospital
    Cfn
    Craftsman (Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers)
    CGH
    Canadian General Hospital
    CGRU
    Canadian General Reinforcement Unit
    CIBW/S
    Canadian Infantry Brigade Workshop (Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps or Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers)
    CIC
    Canadian Infantry Corps (becomes RCIC after 30 April 1947)
    CIHU
    Canadian Infantry Holding Unit
    C-in-C
    Commander in Chief
    CIRU
    Canadian Infantry Reinforcement Unit
    CITC
    Canadian Infantry Training Centre
    CMA
    Central Mediterranean Area
    CMF
    Central Mediterranean Force
    CMH
    Canadian Military Hospital
    CMHQ
    Canadian Military Headquarters
    COCTC
    Canadian Ordnance Corps Training Centre
    Col
    Colonel
    Coln
    Column
    Comd
    Command, commander, commandant or commanding
    Comn
    Communication
    Comp
    Composite
    Conc
    Concentrate or concentration
    COTC
    Canadian Officer Training Corps
    Coy
    Company
    Cpl
    Corporal
    CQMS
    Company Quartermaster-Sergeant
    CSEC
    Canadian Special Employment Company
    CSM
    Company Sergeant-Major
    CSRU
    Canadian Signals Reinforcement Unit
    CSTC
    Canadian Signal Training Centre
    CVSM
    Canadian Volunteer Service Medal
    CW
    Chemical Warfare
    DCM
    District Court Martial
    DD
    District Depot
    Dep
    Depot
    Det
    Detachment
    Detn
    Detention
    DF
    Direction Finding
    dis
    Discharged
    Disemb
    Disembarked
    Dist
    District
    Div
    Division
    Div
    Divisional
    DM
    Defence Medal
    DMech
    Driver Mechanic
    DNK
    Date Not Known
    DO
    Daily Order
    DofW
    Died of Wounds
    DofW
    Duration of War
    DOW
    Died of Wounds
    DOW
    Duration of War
    DS
    Dressing Station
    Dvr
    Driver
    EA
    Enemy Action
    EA
    Enemy Aircraft
    Ech
    Echelon
    ED
    Efficiency Decoration
    ED
    Equipment Depot
    EM
    Efficiency Medal
    Emp or Empl’d
    Employed
    ent
    Entitled
    Eqpt
    Equipment
    ERP
    Extra Regimental Pay
    Est
    Establishment
    Estab
    Establishment
    Evac
    Evacuated
    FAP
    For All Purpose
    Fd
    Field
    FDS
    Field Dressing Station
    FF
    Fire Fighter
    FF
    Fire Fighting
    FF
    Field Force
    FGCM
    Field General Court-Martial
    Fld
    Field
    Fld Pk Coy
    Field Park Company
    Fld Pk Sqn
    Field Park Squadron
    Forf
    Forfeits
    Freq
    Frequency
    Furl
    Furlough
    Fus
    Fusilier (Canadian Infantry Corps)
    Fwd
    Forward
    GCM
    General Court Martial
    Gdsm
    Guardsman
    Gdsmn
    Guardsman
    GEC
    General Employment Company
    GHQ
    General Headquarters
    Gnr
    Gunner (RCA)
    GO
    General Order
    GOC (in C)
    General Officer Commanding (in Chief)
    Gp
    Group
    Grn
    Garrison
    GRO
    General Routine Order
    GS
    General Service
    GS
    General Staff
    GSO
    General Staff Officer
    GSW
    Gun Shot Wound
    Gtd
    Granted
    H/
    Honorary (Rank)
    HAA
    Heavy Anti-Aircraft
    HD
    Holding Depot
    HD
    Home Defence
    HE
    High Explosive
    HE
    His (or Her) Excellency
    HE
    Holding Establishment
    Hosp
    Hospital
    HOW
    Howitzer
    HU
    Holding Unit
    HWE
    Home War Establishment
    hyg
    hygiene
    IAW
    In Accordance With
    incl
    include, inclusive or including
    ind
    independent
    indep
    independent
    Inf
    Infantryman
    Infmn
    Infantryman
    instr
    instructor
    instr
    instruction
    Int
    Intelligence
    KIA
    Killed in Action
    King’s
    King’s Regulations and Orders
    L/
    Lance (rank)
    L/Bdr
    Lance Bombardier (RCA)
    L/Cpl
    Lance Corporal
    L/Sgt
    Lance Sergeant
    LAA
    Light Anti-Aircraft
    LAD
    Light Aid Detachment (RCEME)
    LG
    London Gazette
    LMG
    Light Machine-Gun
    LofC
    Line(s) of Communications
    LonGaz
    London Gazette
    Lt
    Lieutenant
    Lt
    Light
    LWOP
    Leave Without Pay
    LWP
    Leave With Pay
    MA
    Meal Allowance
    MAC
    Motor Ambulance Convoy
    mag
    magazine
    mag
    magnetic
    maint
    maintenance
    Maj
    Major
    MD
    Military District
    MD
    Mentioned-in-Despatches
    MDB
    Military Detention Barracks
    mech
    mechanic, mechanical or mechanized
    med
    medical
    med
    medium
    Med
    Mediterranean
    MG
    Machine Gun
    MGTC
    Machine Gun Training Centre
    MI
    Military Intelligence
    MIA
    Missing In Action
    MID
    Mentioned in Despatches
    MMG
    Medium Machine Gun
    MO
    Medical Officer
    mov
    movement
    MP
    Military Police
    MT
    Mechanical Transport
    MT
    Motor Transport
    NCO
    Non-Commissioned Officer(s)
    NP
    Non-Permanent
    NPAM
    Non-Permanent Active Militia
    NRMA(of 1940)
    National Resources Mobilization Act of 1940
    NWE
    Northwest Europe
    O/C
    Officer Commanding
    O/Cdt
    Officer Cadet
    O/S
    Overseas
    OC
    Officer Commanding
    OCTU
    Officer Cadet Training Unit
    Oi/c
    Officer in Charge
    OIC
    Officer in Charge
    OP
    Observation Point
    ops
    operations
    OR
    Other Rank(s)
    OR
    Orderly Room
    ord
    ordnance
    OTC
    Officers Training Centre
    P&A
    Pay and Allowance(s)
    PAM
    Permanent Active Militia
    para
    parachute
    para
    paragraph
    Part II
    Part II Order(s)
    PE
    Permanent Establishment
    pet
    petrol (gasoline)
    PF
    Permanent Force
    PIAT
    Projector, Infantry, Anti-Tank
    pk
    park
    PL
    Platoon
    Pnr
    Pioneer
    posn
    position
    POW
    Prisoner Of War
    pro
    provost
    proc
    proceeded
    prov
    provisional
    Pt II O
    Part II Order(s)
    Pte
    Private
    PTO
    Part II Order(s)
    PW
    Prisoner Of War
    QM
    Quartermaster
    QMS
    Quartermaster Sergeant
    R
    Regiment
    R&A
    Rations and Allowances
    R&Q
    Rations and Quarters
    RAP
    Regimental Aid Post
    RCA
    Royal Canadian Artillery
    RCAMC
    Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps
    RCAPC
    Royal Canadian Army Pay Corps
    RCASC
    Royal Canadian Army Service Corps
    RCATC
    Royal Canadian Artillery Training Centre
    RCCS
    Royal Canadian Corps of Signals
    RCE
    Royal Canadian Engineers
    RCEME
    Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
    RCHA
    Royal Canadian Horse Artillery
    RCOC
    Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps
    rd
    road
    rd
    round
    RDF
    Radio Direction Finding (Radar)
    RECCE
    Reconnaissance
    reg
    regulating or regulations
    Regt
    Regiment
    Regt
    Regiment
    rehab
    rehabilitation
    rep’t
    reported
    rept
    reported
    Res
    Reserve
    Rfn
    Rifleman (Canadian Infantry Corps)
    rft
    reinforcement
    Rif
    Rifleman (Canadian Infantry Corps)
    RMC
    Royal Military College of Canada (Kingston)
    RO
    Routine Order
    RQ&A
    Rations, Quarters and Allowance
    RQMS
    Regimental Quartermaster-Sergeant
    RSM
    Regimental Sergeant-Major
    RT
    Radio Telephony
    RTU
    Returned to Unit
    RWING
    Reinforcement Wing
    S/Sgt
    Staff Sergeant
    SA
    Small Arms
    SA
    South Africa or South African
    SAA
    Small Arms Ammunition
    SD or SD&T
    Staff Duties (and Training)
    SEC
    Special Employment Company
    SEP
    Special Employment Platoon
    Sig(s)
    Signal(s)
    Sigmn
    Signalman (RCCS)
    SMG
    Sub-Machine Gun
    SO
    Staff Officer
    SOE
    Special Operation Executive
    SOS
    Struck Off Strength (of a unit)
    SP
    Self-Propelled
    Spr
    Sapper (RCE)
    Spvr
    Supervisor (Auxiliary Services)
    SQMS
    Staff Quartermaster-Sergeant
    SQMS
    Squadron Quartermaster-Sergeant
    SSM
    Staff Sergeant-Major
    SSM
    Squadron Sergeant-Major
    str
    strength
    SW
    Shell Wound
    SW
    Shrapnel Wound
    swbd
    switchboard
    T&T
    Through and Through (type of wound)
    T/
    Temporary (appointed rank)
    TC
    Training Centre
    TD
    Temporary Duty
    TDR
    Tank Delivery Regiment
    tech
    technical
    tele
    telegraph or telegraphic
    Tk
    Tank
    TOET
    Test of Elementary Training
    TOS
    Taken On Strength (of a unit)
    TP
    Trades Pay à
    Tpr
    Trooper (CAC)
    tps
    troops
    tpt
    transport
    trg
    training
    TS or TSBadge
    Badge Trained Soldier’s Badge
    TSR
    Trained Soldier Regiment (Canadian Armoured Corps)
    TTS
    Trades Training School (or Technical Training School)
    TW
    Travel Warrant
    veh
    vehicle
    VTS
    Vocational Training School
    W&T
    Wireless & Telephony
    W/S
    workshop (RCOC, RCE, or RCEME)
    W/T
    Wireless Telegraphy (or Wireless Telegrapher)
    WE
    War Establishment
    wef
    with effect from
    Wks
    Works
    wksp
    workshop
    WO1 (or WO2)
    Warrant Officer, Class 1 (or Class 2)
    WOI (or WOII)
    Warrant Officer, Class 1 (or Class 2)

    A more complete list is available at Military Abbreviations used in Service Files.

  • Pay rates for naval personnel from 1940 to 1946
    Pay rates for naval personnel from 1940 to 1946
    Rank Year Rate
    Ordinary Seaman 1940 $1.25 per day
    Ordinary Seaman After six months of service $1.50 per day
    Able Seaman 1940 $1.85 per day
    Subsistence Allowance Rate 1940 to 1 June 1942 $1.45 per day
    Subsistence Allowance Rate After 1 June 1942 $1.25 per day
    Ordinary Seaman After 1 October 1946 $50 per month
    Ordinary Seaman After six months of service $54 per month
    Able Seaman After 1 October 1946 $61 per month
    Subsistence Allowance Rate After 1 October 1946 $45 per month

  • Pay rates for army personnel from 1940 to 1946
    Pay rates for army personnel from 1940 to 1946
    Rank Year Rate
    Private 1940 $1.30 per day
    Trades pay “A” Group 1940 $0.75 per day
    Trades pay “B” Group 1940 $0.50 per day
    Trades pay “C” Group 1940 $0.25 per day
    Dependents Allowance: Wife 1940 $35.00 per month
    Dependents Allowance: First child 1940 $12.00 per month
    Dependents Allowance: Second
    child    		 1940 $12.00 per month
    Subsistence Allowance 1940 $0.85 per day
    Private 1944 $1.30 per day
    Private After 4 months service $1.40 per day
    Private After 6 months service $1.50 per day
    Subsistence Allowance 1944 $1.25 per day
    Dependents Allowance: Wife 1944 $37.20 per month
    Dependents Allowance: First child 1944 $13.92 per month
    Dependents Allowance: Second
    child    		 1944 $12.00 per month
    Dependents Allowance: Third child 1944 $10.00 per month
    Dependents Allowance: Fourth
    child, Fifth child, Sixth child    		 1944 $8.00 per month
    Private 1 October 1946 $50.00 per month
    Private After 4 months service $54.00 per month
    Private After 6 months service $61.00 per month
    Private 3 years in rank $3.00 per month
    Private 6 years in rank $3.00 per month
    Subsistence Allowance 1 October 1946 $45.00
    Ration Allowance 1 October 1946 $15.00
    Marriage Allowance 1 October 1946 $20.00
    Separated Family Allowance 1 October 1946 $30.00
    Trades Pay – Group I 1 October 1946 $4.00
    Trades Pay – Group II 1 October 1946 $8.00
    Trades Pay – Group III 1 October 1946 $8.00
    Trades Pay – Group IV 1 October 1946 $8.00

  • Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) pay tables

    The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) pay table shows the annual income of personnel rounded to the nearest dollar. Members of the RCAF women's division received approximately four-fifths of the amount paid to their male counterparts.

    Blank cells = not applicable

    RCAF pay table
    Officers
    Rank Air Crew Ground Crew Dependents' Allowance
    for Wife     		Dependents' Allowance
    for Each Child
    Wing Commander $4,380 $3,650 $720 $144
    Squadron Leader $3,559 $2,829 $660 $144
    Flight Lieutenant $3,103 $2,373 $600 $144
    Flying Officer $2,555 $1,825 $540 $144
    Pilot Officer $2,282 $1,552 $540 $144

    Blank cells = not applicable

    RCAF pay table
    Airmen
    Rank Air Crew Ground Crew Dependents' Allowance
    for Wife     		Dependents' Allowance
    for Each Child     		Trade Group Pay
    A Group     		Trade Group Pay
    B Group     		Trade Group Pay
    C Group
    Warrant Officer I $1,989 $1,533 $480 $144 $274 $183 $91
    Warrant Officer II $1,588 $1,132 $420 $144 $274 $183 $91
    Flight Sergeant $1,369 $913 $420 $144 $274 $183 $91
    Sergeant $1,259 $803 $420 $144 $274 $183 $91
    Corporal $621 $420 $144 $274 $183 $91
    Leading Aircraftman $548 $420 $144 $274 $183 $91
    Aircraftman I $511 $420 $144 $274 $183 $91
    Aircraftman II $475 $420 $144 $274 $183 $91

    Trade grouping

    The pay level for RCAF personnel employed in trades was based on their level of expertise. Beyond the standard enlistment level, most trades have three levels of proficiency, “A” group, “B” group, and “C” group, with “A” group being the highest level.

    An officer or airman is assigned to a trade group after his qualifications have been established by an examination called a “trades test”. For trade group pay see the RCAF pay table.