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THE ROYAL CANADIAN JOURNAL VOL. 3 | NO. 1 WINTER 2014

A Return to Ranks: A Historical Examination 5 A Return to Royal Canadian Air Force Ranks: A Historical Examination THE ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE JOURNAL VOL. 3 | NO. 1 WINTER 2014

he Government of Canada has how one would recognize the appointment of recognized the history of the various master whilst honouring our history environments of the Canadian and heritage. How can one be a TForces through the re-introduction of the leader and yet not command a squadron? In “Royal” within the Royal Canadian pondering such questions, it is important to (RCN), the Royal Canadian Air Force recognize that the history which we choose to (RCAF) and certain line units of the Canadian recognize was not easily arrived at in the first .1 Other recognitions such as utilizing place. This paper will reflect upon the history the curl on naval ranks, the use of of RCAF and Canadian Forces (CF) ranks the Naval Jack and returning to the pips and in order to inform the on-going discussions crowns of the Army have led to some personnel across our Air Force. As will be seen, many in the RCAF pondering whether a return to of the same considerations of developing an traditional RCAF ranks will be forthcoming. RCAF esprit de , independent of the other Many a lunchroom discussion has centred on environments, are as relevant today as they how one could implement the former RCAF were at the birth of our Air Force. rank structure wherein political correctness necessitates addressing gender neutrality or

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The birth of an air force The initial CAF headquarters opened Though the RCAF chooses to recognize 17 May 1920 at 529 Sussex Street in Ottawa 1 April 1924 as its formation date, the history and consisted of six personnel: of the Canadian Air Force (CAF) extends back R. F. Redpath, further to the establishment of a Canadian wing G. J. Blackmore, Warrant H. H. in which “became operational nine Atkinson, F. Aldridge and days after the First World had ended.”2 Sergeant A. H. McKay.8 With such a small Demilitarization post (WWI) headquarters, initial CAF regulations were was the first challenge of a burgeoning air adapted from those of the force. At the time, “middle-ranking civil (RAF). The CAF chain of command for the servants in Ottawa” took up the challenge of first commanding was a relatively “converting the expansive potential of aviation, direct line through the to so clearly demonstrated in war, to constructive the . peacetime uses.”3 “[T]he government delegated responsibility for aviation to an autonomous While the initial cadre of CAF officers Air Board in the summer of 1919.”4 This Air and enlisted men were considered “in Board was primarily concerned with conserving continuous service but on inactive, unpaid the aviation experiences of WWI through the leave except when on refresher training,”9 promotion of civil flying. The arm of their ranks were transferrable from their the Air Board, the CAF, was established along former RAF or army ranks held during WWI, militia lines. Oliver Mowat Biggar, “one once they completed their first training period. those few middle-ranking personnel in Ottawa,” Hence, both RAF and traditional army ranks proposed the formation of the Canadian were acceptable10 and used interchangeably Air Force “as a non-permanent service”5 in at the discretion of the holder. In the earliest November 1919 to work alongside the civil days, the choice to use army or RAF ranks aviation under the control of the Air seemed to be along civil versus military flying Board. The government accepted the argument duties. Quite often, members employed the for the creation of the Canadian Air Force in army ranks when flying in support of the February 1920, and Sir Willoughby Gwatkin civil branch of the Air Board. The same became the first inspector general of the CAF individual would then utilize the air-force in April 1920 with Air A. K. Tylee rank when flying within the military branch.11 appointed as air officer commanding. The The rank structure laid down for the CAF decision to have this militia arm within the included: air vice-, , Air Board was not universally accepted and, , , squadron indeed, almost did not happen. leader, , , , , flight sergeant, The question of whether Canada would sergeant, corporal, air mechanic (1st class) even have an air force was best summed up and air mechanic (2nd class).12 by then leader of the opposition, William Lyon Mackenzie King, when he asked in the House, As mentioned, the Air Board was “Where does the Minister expect invasion from? comprised of two flying divisions—the civil … defence against whom[?]”6 The concept and the Canadian Air Force—and would of an Air Board was not novel. The United remain a dual system until 1922. It was not Kingdom had established an Air Board in until the elimination of the dual system that 1916 and replaced it with an Air Council in the concurrent usage of army and air-force 1917. However, unlike Canada’s Air Board, ranks within the Air Board was resolved. the developments of command and control of This was eloquently demonstrated in Camp air power in the were centred Borden’s routine orders of 28 November 1922, on the military aspects only.7 wherein it stated:

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The use of Military Equivalent of Prior to the official designation of the Royal Canadian Air Force ranks will be Canadian Air Force, uniforms were loosely discontinued throughout the Service styled on the army dress, with army-style forthwith and only the ranks hereunder rank badges (pips and crowns).15 Afterwards, quoted (i.e., to pilot officer) it was decided to adopt the dress and motto of will be used both in correspondence and the RAF, and the uniform was patterned on conversation.13 the RAF uniform of the day. These changes would remain extant until unification on The Royal Canadian Air 1 February 1968. As an aside, the translation Force of Royal Canadian Air Force to French was not On 1 January 1923, the former Air Board resolved until June 1940, thereafter referred to (predominantly civilian in nature prior to this as Corps d’aviation royal canadien, abbreviated point) was consolidated within the CAF under as CARC.16 The date 1 April 1924, which we the newly formed Department of National now celebrate as the “official” birthdate of the Defence, under the control of the chief of the RCAF, was significant in that the new King’s general staff. Although discussion of seeking Regulations and Orders (KR&O) for the RCAF the “Royal” designation had preceded the were now completed after two years of staff amalgamation of 1 January 1923, application for work and came into effect on this date. It also said designation was not made to the Secretary marked the commencement of the new fiscal of State for External Affairs until 5 January year, after which the new pay and allowances 1923. Formal reply from the Secretary of State could be administered.17 It also marked the date for the Colonies in was received on after which the use of the “Royal” designation 15 February 1923. Weekly Order No. 21/23 was now approved by KR&O. As demonstrated, on 12 March 1923 promulgated the new title however, the true date for the birth of Canada’s “Royal Canadian Air Force.”14 Although the Air Force could have been much earlier. promulgation of “Royal” within the title was conferred in 1923, it was not formally adopted With the adoption of the KR&O for the until 1 April 1924. RCAF, largely based on the RAF and the

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United Kingdom Force Act, the enlisted ranks would remain in effect in the RCAF until were adjusted to the following: warrant officer unification many years later in 1968. During 1st class (WO1), warrant officer 2nd class (WO2), World War II, gender-specific language flight sergeant (FS), corporal (Cpl), leading would be included in the rank , such as (LAC), aircraftman 1st class (AC1) aircraftman/aircraftwoman, to address the and aircraftman 2nd class (AC2). No significant inclusion of women in uniform. Concurrent changes were made to officer ranks with the with the maturing of the RCAF, questions were exception of adding and air chief already beginning to arise about dedicated air marshal. The RAF had arrived at this rank support to the Navy. structure as a means of severing the Air Force from the other services. The intent was “to Even before unification in 1968, the use preserve and emphasise the principle of the of the RAF rank structure within the RCAF independence and integrity of the Royal Air was not without some controversy. In a Force as a separate service among fighting memorandum to the RCAF Senior Advisory services to the Crown” while recognizing Group in February 1965, the author (Deputy the requirement for the Air Force to serve Chief of Personnel)20 suggests that the titles, the special needs of the both the Army and “in many instances, originated with the Royal the Navy “in addition [to having] a strategic Naval Air Service and later were adopted by the and tactical sphere of action independent , which in turn became the of the other two fighting services.”18 Just as RAF in 1918.”21 Principal among the arguments Canada’s burgeoning Air Force was seeking its was that the ranks in use by the RCAF were independence, so too, the RAF was seeking to no longer indicative of the officer’s function establish itself as a credible and independent as it was 40 years previously when the ranks force separate from the Army and the Royal were created. Other arguments included Navy.19 Canada automatically adopted the the lack of one-word ranks, thus leading to RAF ranks for use in the RCAF when it based confusion among the public. RCAF ranks also the RCAF KR&O upon the RAF KR&O and did not easily translate into French whereas the the United Kingdom Force Act. These ranks ranks did. Lastly, in 1965 it was

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considered advantageous to adopt the Canadian On 5 September 1918, the Royal Canadian Army rank structure as it was similar to the rank Naval Air Service was established by Order in structures used by the other members of the Council, only to be disbanded three months later United Nations and the North Atlantic Treaty following armistice.23 This creation reflected Organization with whom the RCAF could be the significant contributions of Canada’s airmen expected work alongside on operations. The flying in the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal recommendation of this report was to retain Navy Air Service throughout WWI. However, the rank insignia but adopt the Canadian Army as Canada had no ships capable of launching and rank titles as this result would be “the best of recovering aircraft after WWI, the RCN Naval both choices.”22 Air Service had little chance of survival. Slow development continued in shore-based support Prior to unification in 1968, the Canadian to the RCN such that by 15 September 1938, Army and the RCN had developed aviation and Eastern Command was established to monitor air arms of their own, which did not belong the territorial waters off Canada’s coast.24 This to the RCAF. Based on this, questions arise is not to suggest that aviation in support of the today among the tactical aviation and maritime Navy did not exist prior to 1938. In fact, RCAF aviation communities as to whether it would Station Dartmouth had, at this point, existed even be appropriate to return to RCAF ranks. for almost two decades, as did RCAF Station The question is a little more complicated in that Vancouver—seaplanes flew from both locations. those aviation arms, as will be demonstrated, Maritime Group was subsequently formed in had closer links to the RCAF than many of April 1949 and, finally, Maritime Air Command today’s aviators realize. in January 1951. “Maritime Air Command was absorbed into the Canadian Forces Maritime The development of naval and Command in January 1966 … .”25 Army aviation capabilities In Canada, the division of aviation in The post-war years also saw the emergence direct support to the Navy evolved gradually. within Army circles of a sincere interest

CF Photo

10 A Return to Royal Canadian Air Force Ranks: A Historical Examination THE ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE JOURNAL VOL. 3 | NO. 1 WINTER 2014 in aviation. RCAF acquisition plans for new Unification transport planes evolved in close consultation The process of unification, which with the Army (the Army fearing RCAF culminated in February 1968, had actually requirements might not appropriately address begun in 1964 in an effort to eliminate their requirements).26 Similar to the RCN’s duplication in recruiting, training and other emergence of a full aviation capacity, the Army aspects of military support, such as a unified developed aviation capabilities such as air pay system.28 This single command structure observation post throughout the period 1946 to under the Chief of the Defence Staff made 1975, culminating in the formation of 10 Tactical perfect sense. Unification resulted in the Air Group in September 1968. 10 Tactical abolition of distinctive uniforms in favour Air Group included two CF-5 fighter - of the “Jolly Green Jumpers”29 and the rons, T-33 reconnaissance aircraft, Buffalo elimination of RCAF ranks, among many tactical transport and a variety of helicopters other changes. Whereas the Navy vehemently for transport and observation/reconnaissance. fought the aspects of unification that would In September 1975, the Canadian Armed threaten their history and heritage, it is Forces “retreated slightly from unification … suggested that many in the senior ranks of the upon the establishment of Air Command.” It RCAF silently retired without fuss or learned would become “the focal point of tradition to accept the changes without dissent.30 Even and professional expertise for airmen of the this interpretation that the RCAF senior Canadian forces.”27 ranks retired silently without fuss is not

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universally held. Lieutenant-General William The RCAF version 2.0 Carr (Retired), the first commander of Air This brief historical visit of the evolution Command in 1975, was an air commodore in of the RCAF leads to the current discussion. 1968 at the time of unification. He holds no The latest amendment to the National Defence recollection of any senior officer retiring as Act (NDA), dated 19 June 2013, retains the a result of unification.31 The memorandum provision for the re-establishment of an RCAF of 1965 to the RCAF Senior Advisory Group rank structure.32 Notably, master corporal is not substantiates his recollections. It appears, represented on the chart under any of the three from at least this one source, that the RCAF environments. However, as master corporal is was in favour of adopting Army ranks, and an appointment, it is not considered a “rank” by it was approved by the Air Council just prior definition of the NDA. The ranks are provided to unification in 1968. in Table 1.

Unification Ranks RCAF Ranks (Column I) (Column IV) English French

General Maréchal en chef de l’Air

Lieutenant-General Air Marshal Maréchal de l’Air

Major-General Air Vice-Marshal Vice-maréchal de l’Air

Brigadier-General Air Commodore Commodore de l’Air

Colonel Group Captain Colonel d’aviation

Lieutenant-Colonel Wing Commander Lieutenant-colonel d’aviation

Major d’aviation

Captain Flight Lieutenant Capitaine d’aviation

Lieutenant Flying Officer Lieutenant d’aviation

Second Lieutenant Pilot Officer Sous-lieutenant d’aviation

Officer Élève-officier

Chief Warrant Officer Warrant Officer Class 1 Adjudant de 1re classe

Master Warrant Officer Warrant Officer Class 2 Adjudant de 2e classe

Warrant Officer Flight Sergeant Sergent de section

Sergeant Sergeant Sergent

Corporal Corporal Caporal

Private Aircraftman Aviateur

Table 1. Schedule to Section 21 of the NDA

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Section 21(2) of the National Defence Act honours those who have come before us and currently permits for the usage of other rank serves to foster a sense of pride and esprit de designations. All that is required is a change in corps in our service now and in the future. The regulation by Governor in Council “prescribing evolution of the RCAF occurred over many the circumstances in which a person holding a decades and not without a certain amount of rank set out in Column I of the schedule shall conflicting opinions on how it should be use, or be referred to by, a designation of rank structured. Therefore, it would seem fitting set out in Column II, III or IV of the schedule from a historical perspective that any discussion opposite the rank held by that person.”33 around a return to a unique rank structure should contain some differences of opinion. At the outset, the question was posed, how The RAF’s consideration to the contributory can one be a squadron leader and not command a nature of both the navy and the army cultures squadron? This question does not seem to bother in formulating their rank structure demonstrates our own RCN wherein a lieutenant-commander the inclusive nature and dynamics of both these is referred to as capitaine de corvette in French, environments to how the RAF arrived at their even though we no longer have corvettes in structure. Presumably by extension, the RCAF’s the fleet. Furthermore, this question does not rank structure represents a reasonable raise similar questions with our allies such compromise of all parties. Whatever as the RAF and Royal Australian Air Force evolutionary step the current RCAF takes next, (RAAF). Anecdotal discussions with officers it should be clear that there is no one single in the RAF indicate that the present view taken solution which, based on our history, is the is that a squadron leader is a leader within the “right way” to recognize our past. squadron—not the leader of the squadron. The officer commanding a squadron in both the RAF Lieutenant-Colonel (LCol) John Alexander, and RAAF is traditionally of the rank of wing CD, has served in the Canadian Forces in commander. Although these ranks originally excess of 23 years and holds a Bachelor of described the functional responsibilities held Arts in History from Western University by the individual, this is virtually no longer the and a Master of Defence Studies from the case in any Commonwealth country employing Royal Military College of Canada. A tactical the RAF-like ranks. Like the aforementioned aviation and special operations pilot, he most question of squadron leaders not commanding recently commanded 427 Special Operations squadrons, the matter of gender neutrality in Aviation Squadron in Petawawa, Ontario. ranks does not raise concern with our allies LCol Alexander now serves as Director either. However, were it to remain a concern in Structure Integration 7 at National Defence the Canadian context, the historical employment Headquarters in Ottawa, Ontario. of RCAF ranks between World War II and 1968 demonstrates the practice of gender-specific Abbreviations ranks. For example, an aircraftman (AC1) was referred to as aircraftwoman (AW1) as was CAF Canadian Air Force a (LAC) referred to as DCP Deputy Chief of Personnel leading aircraftwoman (LAW). Conceivably, KR&O Kings Regulations and Orders these gender-specific ranks could be used again; however, it would require a change in the NDA National Defence Act National Defence Act to once again recognize RAAF Royal Australian Air Force aircraftwoman. RAF Royal Air Force Conclusion RCAF Royal Canadian Air Force This paper opens for consideration some RCN of the history behind our rank structure which WWI World War I

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Notes 17. Ibid., 116. 1. Canadian Press, “Army Goes Back to the Future with Return to 18. Spaight, 212. British-Style Ranks and Designations,” 19. Mayne, 29. Ottawa Citizen, July 9, 2013, accessed October 25, 2013, http://www.ottawacitizen. 20. It is not clear within the memorandum com/news/+style+ranks+designations/8634783/ what office DCP holds within the RCAF. The story.html. abbreviation DCP is without context, although at 2. Richard Mayne, “Royal Matters: the time, the office of Deputy Chief of Personnel Symbolism, History and the Significance of was extant. the RCAF’s Name Change, 1909–2011,” The 21. DCP memorandum to RCAF Senior Royal Canadian Air Force Journal 1, no. 4 Advisory Group, 1 February 1965, Adoption of (2012): 26. Canadian Army Officer Rank Titles, 1. 3. W. A. B. Douglas, The Official History of the Royal Canadian Air Force, ed. Norman 22. Ibid., 3. Hillmer, vol. 2, The Creation of a National Air 23. J. D. F. Kealy and E. C. Russell, A Force (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, History of Canadian Naval Aviation: 1918– 1986), 35. 1962 (Ottawa: Department of National Defence, 4. Ibid. 1965), 141.

5. Ibid., 48. 24. Douglas, 373.

6. House of Commons, Debates, 16 June 25. Don Nicks, “A History of the Air 1920, 3646. Services in Canada,” CanMilAir, accessed October 25, 2013, http://www.canmilair.com/ 7. J. M. Spaight, The Beginnings of rcafhistory.htm. Organised Air Power: A Historical Study (New York: Longmans, Green and Co. Ltd, 1927), 26. Brereton Greenhous and Hugh A. 77, 157. Halliday, Canada’s Air Forces 1914–1999 (Ottawa: Editions Art Global and the Department 8. Wing Commander F. H. Hitchens, Air of National Defence, 1999), 140. Board: Canadian Air Force and Royal Canadian Air Force (Ottawa: Canadian War Museum, 27. For both quotations, Ibid., 142. 1972), 12. 28. Ibid., 138. 9. Douglas, 50. 29. Ibid. 10. Hitchens, 18. 30. Ibid. 11. Ibid., 92. 31. Lieutenant-General William Carr 12. Ibid., 18. (Retired), personal communication with author, October 2, 2013. 13. Ibid., 95. 32. Government of Canada, National 14. Ibid., 98–99. Defence Act (Ottawa: Minister of Justice, 15. Douglas, 51. 2013), 237.

16. Hitchens., 99. 33. NDA, Sect 21(2).

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