Hi all, I have a couple of questions about info from the WW2 nominal roll. What is meant by "in the field" as the place of enlistment? What rank is a "Craftsman"? Cheers Jan

Hi Jan, Craftsmam is the same as private. As for "in the field", I would take a guess that he signed up overseas direct to a unit like some militia members joined units in PNG and other places (like Create) though I could be wrong on this (I put this in before I get jumped on) :) :). Cheers, Robert Duggan ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jan Glasby" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, December 29, 2002 5:29 PM Subject: "in the field"/Craftsman > Hi all, > > I have a couple of questions about info from the WW2 nominal roll. > > What is meant by "in the field" as the place of enlistment? > > What rank is a "Craftsman"? > > Cheers > Jan >

Rob and Jan, I am new to the list and I would like to start my contribution by providing further detail regarding the rank of Craftsman. As Rob accurately advised, Craftsman is the rank of a private. The rank superceded (at a date unknown to me) the rank of Artisan and is restricted to private soldiers in either of the related following Corps (depending on the era): Australian Army Ordnance Corps (1 July 1928 - 1 Dec 1942) Corps of Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (1 Dec 1942 - 31 Dec 1948) Royal Corps of Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers ( 31 Dec 1948 - Present) Generally speaking Craftsmen (sometimes referred to as "Crafties") were trades(men and women) responsible for inspection, maintenance, repair and recovery of most Army equipment - such as radios, binoculars, telescopes, compasses, tanks, trucks, cars, motorcycles, small-arms and artillery pieces. Actual responsibilities have varied over time. An excellent reference is the "Craftsmen of the Australian Army - The Story of RAEME" by Theo Barker, published by RAEME Corps Committee (1992) ISBN 1 86333 057 7 Call 358.2230994 The Corps Museum is located at Army Logistic Training Centre (Gaza Barracks ) Bandiana Victoria. Regards Dale Whelan ----- Original Message ----- From: "Robert Duggan" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, December 30, 2002 2:23 PM Subject: Re: "in the field"/Craftsman > Hi Jan, > > Craftsmam is the same as private. > > As for "in the field", I would take a guess that he signed up overseas > direct to a unit like some militia members joined units in PNG and other > places (like Create) though I could be wrong on this (I put this in before I > get jumped on) :) :). > > Cheers, > > Robert Duggan > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Jan Glasby" <[email protected]> > To: <[email protected]> > Sent: Sunday, December 29, 2002 5:29 PM > Subject: "in the field"/Craftsman > > > > Hi all, > > > > I have a couple of questions about info from the WW2 nominal roll. > > > > What is meant by "in the field" as the place of enlistment? > > > > What rank is a "Craftsman"? > > > > Cheers > > Jan > > > > > > ==== AUS-MILITARY Mailing List ==== > Woy Woy War Memorial and Soldiers' Memorial Park > http://www.terrigal.net.au/~joanf/anzac1.htm > >