Their position in our Army shall be inferior to that of all commissioned officers and superior to that of all noncommissioned officers. Conductors shall at the same time have full power to exercise command over any subordinates of the Departments of our Army, or noncommissioned officers or soldiers of our Army, who may be placed under their orders ". For the purposes of this article I shall call these first Warrant Officers Group (i)

So successful was the introduction of Conductors of Supplies and Stores that further Warrant Officers were introduced, Master Gunners to the Royal Artillery, Schoolmasters and Paymasters. All appointed to Group (i)

A new class of Warrant Officer, Group (ii) was soon to follow, and with the onset of World War One a class of Warrant Officer. as described by the following Royal Warrant:

It is at this stage that the question of identifying badges of rank started to become confused. Warrant Officer's of Group (i) wore the 'Crown in Wreath' and Warrant Officers of Group (ii) the 'Large Crown' on the sleeve.

	Above. Large Crown WO Group (ii)
	Left. Crown in Wreath WO Group (i)

These Warrant Officers now became Class One, with groups (i) & (ii) being identified by different badges, Warrant Officer Class One, Group (i) by the 'Crown in Wreath' and Warrant Officer Class One, Group (ii) by the newly introduced 'Royal Arms';  The 'Large Crown' then becoming the badge of the Warrant Officer Class Two:

Warrant Officer Class 2 (gilded & plain)

Rank badge of a Company Sergeant Major in the Coldstream Guards

In 1918 a further modification was made, with the introduction of the 'Royal Arms in Wreath' for Warrant Officers Class One, Group (i) ‑ Warrant Officers Class One, Group (ii) continued to wear the 'Royal Arms' At this time the 'Crown in Wreath' was discontinued.

Warrant Officer Class 1 Group (i)	Warrant Officer Class 1 Group (ii)	Use discontinued except as below	Warrant Officer Class 2

In a 1938 Army Council Instruction (A,C.I. 398 of 1938) the 'Crown in Laurel Wreath' was allocated to Warrant Officers Class 11 on the introduction of Warrant Officer Class III who in turn were allocated the 'Large Crown' to wear. (This rank was placed in suspension in 1940, technically however this still remains as a rank)  

This was to continue till 1947 (A.C.I. 991 of 1947) when it was decided that Warrant Officers Class 2 graded as Quartermaster-Sergeants would revert to wearing the 'Crown in Laurel Wreath' and all other Warrant Officers Class 2 and any remaining Warrant Officers Class 3 would wear the 'Large Crown'

These changes were adapted by the Dominion and Commonwealth Armies where the Appointment Names of Warrant Officers were not always the same, but classes of Warrant Officers were closely followed. 

Dates badges worn (British Army)

c1900 to 1918

1918 to date

Note: In Australia the wreath now signifies that the wearer is the Senior Non Commissioned Officer in the Service; i.e. Warrant Officer of the Navy, RSM of the Army or Warrant Officer of the RAAF

Note. In Australia the Royal Arms have been replaced by the Australian Coat of Arms.

 © Copyright, M Comerford 2004 All rights reserved. Parts may be reproduced providing source credit is given.