Hi All,
I am looking at a newspaper clipping of a WW2 RCAF wedding. The groom's rank is "A.C." I am guessing that might be, "Acting Corporal"? The bride's rank is "L.A.W." which is unknown to me? Thanks, alysone
Help with 2 rank short forms, please?
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alysone
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Help with 2 rank short forms, please?
Researching East Lothian Birds, Wilsons, Woods, Maillies, Crookstons, & Cranstons.
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Currie
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Hello Alysone,
A.C. in the Commonwealth Air Forces would stand for Aircraftman.
L.A.W. probably actually should be L.A.C.W and would stand for Leading Aircraft Woman.
That being the case she would be the boss in the family.
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aircraftman
Alan
A.C. in the Commonwealth Air Forces would stand for Aircraftman.
L.A.W. probably actually should be L.A.C.W and would stand for Leading Aircraft Woman.
That being the case she would be the boss in the family.
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aircraftman
Alan
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alysone
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- Location: Canada
Oh, I never would have figured that out!
I got it now. The article at wikipedia explains it well. So, no matter what your job, you would be Aircraftman? The bride was a steno. So would LAW mean she was better qualified for that role, or would she work for officers, perhaps? I appreciate your help, Alan. alysone
Researching East Lothian Birds, Wilsons, Woods, Maillies, Crookstons, & Cranstons.
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Currie
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Alysone,
I’m not too sure of the ins and outs of the Air Force but from what I can gather it was more a case of surviving the recruitment and basic training process and proving, perhaps after 12 months service, that you had the experience and competence to handle the job, thus becoming a L.A.C.W..
The L.A.C.W. rank would have been the equivalent of a Lance-Corporal in the Army i.e. one stripe whereas the corporal had two stripes and the A.C.W or Private had none.
However when I read these wartime experiences of women who became L.A.C.W.s I found that one agrees with what I said about the rank, another says she had no stripes and another says she got more pay.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stor ... 8907.shtml
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stor ... 4152.shtml
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stor ... 8343.shtml
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stor ... 7054.shtml
Alan
I’m not too sure of the ins and outs of the Air Force but from what I can gather it was more a case of surviving the recruitment and basic training process and proving, perhaps after 12 months service, that you had the experience and competence to handle the job, thus becoming a L.A.C.W..
The L.A.C.W. rank would have been the equivalent of a Lance-Corporal in the Army i.e. one stripe whereas the corporal had two stripes and the A.C.W or Private had none.
However when I read these wartime experiences of women who became L.A.C.W.s I found that one agrees with what I said about the rank, another says she had no stripes and another says she got more pay.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stor ... 8907.shtml
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stor ... 4152.shtml
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stor ... 8343.shtml
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stor ... 7054.shtml
Alan
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alysone
- Posts: 86
- Joined: Thu Apr 19, 2007 3:35 am
- Location: Canada
just got to these now
Hi Alan,
I just read the memoirs of these 4 women. I always find first hand accounts of war service interesting. Here, as usual, the contrast between the fun they remember & the reports of acquaintances lost is striking. I was interested in the story of the Canuck flying units, as one of my uncles was an air gunner on a medium bomber. Thanks again for taking the time for such a complete reply. alysone
I just read the memoirs of these 4 women. I always find first hand accounts of war service interesting. Here, as usual, the contrast between the fun they remember & the reports of acquaintances lost is striking. I was interested in the story of the Canuck flying units, as one of my uncles was an air gunner on a medium bomber. Thanks again for taking the time for such a complete reply. alysone
Researching East Lothian Birds, Wilsons, Woods, Maillies, Crookstons, & Cranstons.