PET

[leka]

Hi
I'm researching my Uncle's WW2 Army records and I have come across the following '46 Div PET 27-3-42',he was transferred here fro 8th Training Battalion (Drivers) R.A.S.C, my question is what does PET stand for.

[ScouseBoy]

Possibly Petrol

But Petrol comes under the description P.O.L.  Petrol Oil and Lubricants

Assuming that the first course was basic drivers training,  then to transport Petrol would require advanced extra training

[*Sandra*]

In US Military organisations -  - P E T = Propulsion Engineering Tr (training or tranport  )

Sandra

[John915]

Good evening,

Whilst probably not a definitive list this is what I normally look at. http://www.ww2f.com/topic/37564-abbreviations-and-acronyms-of-ww2-and-service-records/

No PET on it so an unusual one. Petrol would normally be shortened to Pet not capitals. Could possibly something like Petrol E......... Training. But could be some other type of training.

John915

Added, Personal Evaluation Training??

[ScouseBoy]

The RASC. Stored and transported Petroleum Oil and Lubricants

POL. Has been  the standard term. In  MoD for. Many years

[mazi]

One of the many comments on this site

http://www.nam.ac.uk/research/famous-units/royal-army-service-corps


Says the rasc had a fleet of  bedford  PEtrol Tankers.   

A possibiity

Mike

[leka]

First of all thank you everyone for your replies, the word PET is mentioned again two months later but this time in lower case '46 Div pet 12-5-42', prior to both the dates he had passed his driving test Class lll so as John915 suggests did he have to be trained to drive Petrol Tankers , there is no other mention of PET/pet after these dates nor any other driving tests.
John915 thank you for the link I have added that to my list but like you all my lists do not have PET/pet in them.
Thank you Scouseboy I have added your notes to my notes for future ref.
Thank you Sandra for you reply.
John915 I have just noticed your added note which is very interesting.
Mike just got your reply as I was about to post this, thank you for the link it is looking like Petrol is the answer.
Once again thank you all
leka

[RRTB]

he had passed his driving test Class lll so as John915 suggests did he have to be trained to drive Petrol Tankers

His Class III would have entitled him to drive a typical sort of lorry like a Bedford, ie front axle and single rear axle, but not an articulated lorry as you would require a Class 1 for that (certainly you would nowadays; I can only assume it was the same back then).

Many of the petrol bowser lorries were Class III type, so he would have needed training to be allowed to drive lorries in the first place. The probability of him having to have specialised training to drive petrol tankers is high. Modern-day tanker drivers also receive specialised training above the standard training for their LGV driving test. They require between 1 and 2 years' experience of driving lorries, they also need a Driver's Certificate of Professional Competence and if they are going to be working with hazardous goods like fuel oil then they require an ADR driver training certificate.

RRTB

[leka]

Thank you RRTB for the information about the Class l and Class lll difference, it looks more likely that my Uncle did take extra training. I'm still trying to decipher his records it seems he served in N.Africa, MEF and CMF and that on 13-11-1944 he was reclassified as Class 1A (Scale D) this I assume relates to his driving ability. Your reply I have copied into my Uncles notes, because I have another Uncle who was a driver in WW2 and your reply will be very handy.
Once again Thank You.
Leka