Rank and regiment/corps

[Brewins girl]

Can anyone provide any information from this poor quality photograph dating back to March 1945 please

[MaecW]

Rank is army : Staff Sergeant, but I can't make out the badge (unit flash ? ) over the crown.

[Brewins girl]

Thank you - I thought it was a tall order to ask about the badge, is there a difference between Sergeant and Staff Sergeant?

I’m writing a book (non-fiction) based on a collection of letters written by a soldier Ron to my aunt Betty. The soldier in the photograph was Ron’s best man at their wedding, so I imagine there was some ribbing about his rank, where Ron was Lance Corporal.

[Jebber]

Staff Sergeant is the next rank up from Sergeant and one below Warrant Officer Class 2.

[Brewins girl]

Thank you Jabber. I thought three chevrons indicated Sergeant, so what is it about the insignia on this soldier’s uniform that says he was Staff Sergeant?

[Jebber]

It’s the crown immediately above the chevrons. I can’t help with the badge above that, it’s too in distinct.

[Brewins girl]

That is really helpful - I think you’ve helped me before, and it’s always appreciated. Thank you to MaecW too

[Jebber]

You’re welcome, I’m happy  to help whenever I can.

[Brewins girl]

Since reading your replies I have returned to writing the section of my book that is concerned with the wedding in March 1945, where the soldier was best man, using the information you provided to set the context for his presence wearing military uniform. Then I found a newspaper cutting about the wedding, which described him as a QMS on leave from Burma. Please can you explain QSM for me?