Guardsman in the Canadian Army -- Rank or Title?

In the Canadian Army in the Second World War, what did 'Guardsman' signify, a rank or a title? Did it relate to a job description?

I am trying to learn more about a Canadian soldier who died in France on August 18, 1944. I have a cover addressed to him as Gdsm. Robert J. Tester, and he is listed as a Gdsm. on the web site of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and in the Book of Remembrance in the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. He was with the No. 2 Squadron, 22nd Armoured Regiment, Canadian Grenadier Guards, a tank unit.

You can see the cover at <http://www.ingraham.ca/bob/testercover30.jpg>.

Bob Ingraham

Cheers and all,

Bob,

The table below explains the ranks for WW2 Canadian Army units. Simple put, a Guardsman was a Private in a Guards unit.

Corps or Regiment Rank Title for 'Private'

3/7/2004 3:51 AM

Thank you for your detailed response. Now let's see if I understand it!:

Since Gdsm. Tester was both a member of the 22nd Canadian Regiment of the Canadian Gredadier Guards, he could correctly be called/titled either Guardsman Tester or Trooper Tester? Is that correct?

Thank you also for pointing out the links. I had previously found both web sites. I also found another web site

Yes, I think that is a correct interpretation. However, since his 'permanent' regimental affiliation was with the Canadian Grenadier Guards, which historically had been a 'foot regiment' and since the 22nd Amoured Regiment was a temporary wartime unit that ceased to exist after 1946, it is probably more correct to refer to your man as 'Guardsman Tester'.

It is also interesting to note that, according to the unit history of the Canadian Grenadier Guards, reinforcements for the 22nd Armoured Regiment were also drawn from the Halifax Rifles (a rifle regiment where a Private would be a Rifleman) and the Princess Louise's Fusiliers (where a Private would be a Fusilier). Hence, within the 22nd CAR you could have Guardsman, Riflemen and Fusiliers - how confusing! Almost certainly, while on active service with the 22nd CAR, the Privates in the regiment were referred to as Troopers by their NCOs and officers per the regimental traditions of the Amoured and Cavalary Corps.

22nd Armoured Regiment ( Canadian Grenadier Guards ) was a Guards titled tank unit. Not unheard of as the Brits had the Guards Armoured Brigade which IIRC included a Scots Guards battalion/regiment.

As to what he would be called I think he'd still be a Guardsman since that was the historical title his unit bore.

IBM