In a message dated 5/30/2004 2:42:21 PM Pacific Standard Time, eve@varneys.demon.co.uk writes: This is not very old English, but it is a puzzle, so : does anyone have a clue >as to what military rank/occupation might have been signified in 1900 by the >abbreviation L.Q.M. (in a ship's passenger list Bombay-London)? Something Quarter Master, but can't be lance, Could see R for regimaental, or A for Assistant, or B for Battalion perhaps Possibly Leftenant/Lieutenant. James E. Hargraves