Military Chat

I'm just reading a good novel about the effects of WW! on all the 'Spare Women' left unmarried after the loss of so many men. It keeps referring to someone as a
Sergeant Major whilst making it very clear that he was an officer. I have never heard of this rank as being commissioned and it seems a strange error in an otherwise very factually correct book. I've tried googling but with no success - does anyone know the answer to satisfy my curiosity please?

Sue

Think both you and the author are right!

sergeant major

noun: sergeant major; plural noun: sergeant majors; noun: regimental sergeant major; plural noun: regimental sergeant majors; noun: battery sergeant major; plural noun: battery sergeant majors

1 a warrant **officer** in the British army whose job is to assist the adjutant of a regiment or battalion ( regimental sergeant major ) or a subunit commander ( company sergeant major, battery sergeant major, etc.).
2.a high rank of non-commissioned officer in the US army, above master sergeant and below warrant officer.
..............
Commonwealth of Nations forces

A sergeant major is an appointment, not a rank. It is normally held by the senior warrant officer of an army or marine unit. These appointments are made at several levels, for example: the senior warrant officer of a company, battery or squadron; the senior warrant officer of a battalion or regiment. The title normally consists of the unit title (e.g. 'company') followed by 'sergeant major', and abbreviated by the initials (e.g. CSM). A sergeant major of a regiment or battalion is known as a regimental sergeant major, rather than a "regiment sergeant major" or "battalion sergeant major"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergeant_major

My father-in-law was a Regimental Sergeant Major and was classed as a Warrant Officer.

Kath. x

Thank you both for the replies, but I'm still a bit puzzled Detective as we can't both be right!! Reading what you have said certainly seems to imply that it was a non-commissioned rank, but this character talks of going to the Officers Mess, wearing a Sam Browne belt etc. I do have a fair bit of military knowledge being an ex WRAF Officer myself with a great interest in WW1 so hate mistakes/mysteries!

Sue

Well my father-on-law certainly had a Sam Browne belt. We actually still have his 1940's uniform including his Sam Browne belt. My grandson took it to school when he was younger when they were doing a project on WW2.

Kath. x

Thanks Kath - was just being curious so probably one of those silly little mysteries that never get solved!

Sue