Warrant Officers c1890

This photo was published in ‘Cavalry Warrant Officers’ and Non-Commissioned Officers’ Arm Badges’ by David Linaker and Gordon Dine (MHS 1997). The photo was included in the chapter on the Royal Hussar Group and shows two senior NCOs of the 10th Hussars in stable jackets with rank badges and regimental Plume badge displayed on their right arm. The caption tells us that they are the ORQMS and RQMS. A page explaining the abbreviations says that these initials stand for Orderly Room Quartermaster Sergeant and Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant. In the list of ranks the RQMS appears to be senior to the ORQMS. However, there is an appendix in which NCO rank badges are explained. In the period 1881-1891 the RQMS is said to have a star above 4 inverted chevrons, clearly the man on the right. Two steps down the ranking is the ORQMS whose rank is denoted by: ‘Inverted 4 chevrons only, time promotion via ORSSgt - TSM’s badges, same badge and time promotion for Pay Sgt.’
The man on the left has four inverted chevrons, with an impressive embroidered crown above. This used to be the method of indicating the rank of Sergeant-Major, from 1809 to 1849. From 1850 to 1881 the RSM in hussar regiments had a regimental badge above 4 chevrons. The book points out that the 4 bar chevrons started to be inverted on the right forearm from 1851. So it looks as if the man sitting on the left of the picture is the RSM, but according to a change made in 1892 he may be a Squadron Sergeant-Major. Then again there is a problem because that rank was 2nd Class Staff, junior to the RQMS who was 1st Class Staff.
Two other considerations come into play here. One is the indication of status by means of the style of the stable jacket. This photo is a detail from a group of senior NCOs, who all have gold braid on the edges of their jackets instead of the yellow worsted braid and buttons on rank-and-file jackets. The men in the back row of the photo have single lines of Russia braid whereas the RQMS has double lines. The man on the left, however, has slim gold lace on the front edges, and around the edges of his collar. The other consideration is the body language which shows the left-hand man sitting in a more superior attitude. So the combination of the crown badge, the gold lace, and the body language point to him being at least senior to the RQMS and probably actually the RSM, the most senior Warrant Officer in the regiment, who, according to the 1881-1891 list, should have only a crown badge.

Regimental Details | Uniforms