Rank at time of death

**PeteT** · 22nd February 2021, 14:19

If an airman / officer was in the rank of XX (on probation) at the time of death, did the temporary rank apply and therefore get inscribed on his headstone, or did the previous permanent rank get used. I am asking the question as some headstones appear to be inconsistent with the ORB / LG rank.

Regards

PeteT

**JDCAVE** · 22nd February 2021, 16:36

Pete: I recently just learned that aircrew in the RCAF were raised one rank at the time of their death. Evidently it had something to do with pensions, and yes, it was inscribed on their headstones. That was news to me. I would like to verify this.

Jim

**PeteT** · 22nd February 2021, 17:34

I am just trying to establish the correct rank to include in a Roll of Honour, where the ORB is out of step with the CWGC / IBCC record. The Canadian aspect is an interesting twist

**RecklessRat** · 22nd February 2021, 18:38

I suspect that this is one of those knotty questions to which there isn't a definitive answer. A few thoughts that may/may not help but might add to the discussion!

I have only seen 'on probation' used in the context of a newly-commissioned P/O, in which case they would be buried as such (happy to be corrected on that)
War Substantive rank would be taken as the casualty's rank on death
The Gazette often lagged quite considerably from the actual date of promotion
My understanding is that you were 'officially' promoted when it appeared in a Personnel Occurrence Report appended to Station Routine Orders. Where this would get really complicated is when it comes to Acting rank, particularly Paid or Unpaid. I think Acting, Paid rank was taken as the casualty's rank on death, less sure about Unpaid - and then there were also Local promotions ('Cpl Jim Spriggs promoted Acting Sgt, Local, Unpaid, w.e.f. date') which I don't think would be counted.
ORBs tend to be only as accurate as the person making them up. It's not unusual to find rank errors, even if someone is well-established as, e.g., a F/O. I would expect the CWGC to be as close to definitive as anyone

Over to those in the know!

Jeff

**JDCAVE** · 22nd February 2021, 20:07

Another record comes to mind. When I was researching my father's op to Pforzheim, "Captain Swales" who was posthumously awarded the VC, is listed on the South African sites as "Major Swales" The ORB record is for Captain Swales. I wonder if this is another example of a posthumous rise in rank.

Jim