Lance-Corporal In A Tank Crew?

[sapper740]

Originally posted by Wolfkin
Hello all!

I have an interesting question and observation that I hope someone among y'all can explain. I have seen a few pictures in books that appear to show a Lance-Corporal as part of a tank crew, during WWII in British and Canadian tanks. Now, I find this very strange indeed because I thought that a Lance-Corporal was only found as the Section Second In Command in an Infantry Section. Am I incorrect in this? Was there a chance for a Lance-Corporal in a Tank Crew?

Cheers,

Wolfkin
AKA
Jon Fitzgerald
Calgary,AB,Canada

During the war the rank of Lance-Corporal, Lance-Bombardier, et al was an appointment given by a commanding officer to a deserving Private. As an appointment, the C.O. or R.S.M. could also take it away as a punishment, without having to convene a Courts-Martial. Yes, a Lance-Corporal in the Infantry was often in charge of a rifle section, but other branches also used this rank. I know for a fact that Artillery, Signals, and Transport also used this rank, so it wouldn't have been too much of a stretch to see a Lance-Jack in the Armoured Corps.
Canada did away with this rank in the '60s and Privates (Untrained) received a single stripe to become Privates (Trained) after their QL3, if memory serves me right.
The USMC still uses this rank.


CHIMO!