What does this mean

[mazwad]

Could anyone tell me what W/CQMS means. The gentleman belonged to 249 Field Coy RE Airborne unit.  I have tried googling but although there are the same lettes after peoples names it doesn't say what it means.

I did wonder if maybe it referred to a quartermaster and hope someone here can tell me.  Thank you.

[kyt]

The rank is Wheeler/Company Quarter Master Sergeant. One also got W/Cpl and W/Sgt, but the rank tended to be associated with horse drawn artillery, and were responsible for the gun carriages/wheels. So it being associated with Airborne RE is a bit of a mystery.

K

[liverpool annie]

I hope your soldier is included on the big photograph !!  this is background on the 249 Field Coy, Royal Engineers, (Airborne)

249 Field Coy, Royal Engineers, (Airborne) were a part of the 6th Airborne Division, under the command of Maj. Sandy Rutherford and attached to the 6th Air landing Brigade.  Number Two platoon, under the command of Capt. Jock Neilson, were for D-Day assigned the task of removing any explosive charges and discounting any wiring they found attached to the Caen Canal Bridge at Benouville and River Orne Bridge at Ranville (today known as Pegasus and Horsa Bridge respectively).

http://www.89fss.com/affiliated/re.htm

http://www.89fss.com/affiliated/249fdcoy.htm

http://www.remuseum.org.uk/campaign/rem_campaign_6adiv.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PIAT

http://www.rootschat.com/links/04aq/

[mazwad]

Thank you very much Kyt and Annie.  I have e-mailed the links to my sister-in law as the gentleman concerned was her father.  She is going to send for his service record, she remembered him talking about gliders and Pegasus bridge and on those sites it does say the 6th airborne were there.

I am hoping that she can find him in the photo as I know she would be thrilled with that. 

Once again I am indebted to the members of this site and their dedication to helping others with their research.

[percy porter]

The action features in the movie "The Longest Day", a bit of poetic license has been taken but none the less my favourite wartime movies.

Alan NZ