Ranks 

For readers unfamiliar with Naval terminmology of the 1940s, the following explanation and tables will help in understanding the apparent cryptic letters in the Rank column of the Names list.

The basic rank is represented by some letters in the body. For example PO for Petty Officer, or Lt for Lieutenant. This is further defined by letters to the right or left. For example LRM is Leading Radio Mechanic, and ElCdr is Electrical Commander. Finally there are the suffix letters in parenthesis to denote further specialisation such as (S) for wireless telegraphy equipment installed in shore establishments

Considering the ranks covered in this history, the hierachy of non commissioned ranks was:

 	Ordinary
 	Able
 	Leading
 	Petty Officer
 	Chief Petty Officer

For commissioned ranks the hierachy was:

 	Midshipman
 	Sub Lieutenant
 	Lieutenant
 	Lieutenant Commander (historical Lieutenant in Command)
 	Commander
 	Captain
 	Commodore
 	Rear Admiral

As well, for those non coms commissioned ioned and Senior Commissioned. Thus Commissioned Electrical Officer,  Senior Commissioned Engineering Officer etc. These two positions related in a rather loose fashion to Sub Lieutenant and Lieutenant respectively.

Letters to the left

A 	Acting. That is temporary appointment
L 	Leading
PO 	Petty Officer 	
Ch 	Chief (Petty Officer)
El 	Electrical. That is a specialisation in electrical technology
Inst 	Instructor. Typically those with professional qualifications in teaching
C 	Commissioned

Core Letters

RE 	Radio Electrician. This was the name change from PORM as from 1947
RM 	Radio Mechanic
WM 	Wireless Mechanic. 1942 title changed in 1943 to Radio Mechanic
S/Lt 	Sub Lieutenant
Lt 	Lieutenant
LtCdr 	Liettenant Commander
Cdr 	Commander
Capt 	Captain
Cmdr 	Commodore
RAdm 	Rear Admiral

Suffixes

(L) 	Electrical
(R) 	Radar
(S) 	Wireless Telegraphy (W/T) equipment in shore establishments 	
(W) 	Radar & W/T
(Ty) 	Temporary
(Sp) 	Specialist. Generally the radar officers specially trained at University.

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