Rank Reduction for NZ Army

[Dave Homewood]

Something that I have struck a couple of times lately while interviewing WWII NZ Army veterans was that they'd mention that whilst in training in NZ (and this might be up to two years in home camps for some) they might get up to the rank of Sergeant, and in one case to 2nd Lieutenant. But when time came to set foot onto a troop ship they would be reduced back to the rank of private, and start again on the bottom of the ladder once overseas.

The 2nd Lt told me he was made a private, arrived at Maadi and was made a Sgt and then a few days later was a 2nd Lieutenant again before heading to Italy and the front line.

I asked why they were reduced and they all say that was how it was. No real explanation.

So, does anyone here know why? Was this to stop a bottleneck of too many chiefs and not enough Indians arriving with the Reinforcements for the 2nd NZ Division, 2NZEF? Or was there another reason?

The RNZAF cetainly did not reduce rank for the troopship I'm sure.

It is bewildering me.

[30sqnatc]

Can I offer a completely unfounded response. Rank in NZ was 'local rank' not permanent i.e. 'acting and sometimes unpaid'.

After the initial deployments most Army personel left NZ as reinforcements rather than in formed units. The only rank structure in a reinforcement/echelon was that required to command/administer the group while on the troop ship.

On arrival at the theatre holding unit they would be allocated to unit based on trade/skill. If there were no 'veterans' suitable and elegable for promotion to fill a vacancy required rank they new arrivals would quickly be promoted.

Read what happened to the members of the NZ Samoa Occupation force in WWI for a case of being poorly treated by the government with regard to pay and allowances.

Paul

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks. That does seem to parallel the WWII experience Mike where the home rank was temporary, I think.