Need help with WWI Canadian military shorthand

Question

Hi everyone,

I'm hoping someone can help me figure out what a couple pieces of military shorthand that show up in my 2x great grandfather's military records.

The records in question can be viewed at:  http://central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.item/?op=pdf&app=CEF&id=B3472-S040

On page 13 on the right hand side there's a 'Fit / Unfit' column with the shorthand in question.  It looks like a B or C followed by a symbol with dots on top, a line, then tally marks on the bottom.

Is anyone familiar with this particular shorthand and the meaning of it?  I'm also curious about the result at the very bottom of the section that has shorthand with TAB in it.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Comments

Those are very curious marks.  

It could be something only used by that group, one commander's way of wanting things done by his people.

I agree they look like tally marks of some kind, almost Myan.

Maybe 2 tests taken, 2 tests passed.  3 tests taken, 3 passed.

Great question.  And thanks for stating which page to view, 60 is a lot :)  I can't believe you found such detailed and extensive records.

Have a great day!

Answer 1

Hi Dave,

I believe I have found your answer on page 207/208 of the following reference http://www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/dhh-dhp/his/docs/CFGW_MedSvc_e.pdf

The notations detail the fitness category for your ancestor, and is borne out by his record of service.

Initially he is in category C2, Fit for service in England

He then is assigned category B3 - Fit for sedentary work as a clerk and finally raised to category B2 - Fit for base units of the medical service, garrison, or regimental outdoor duty.

When discharged his fitness for service category remained B2.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

It appears to me to be unit designations with two dots denoting a Section and three dots denoting a Platoon. The vertical bars would indicate whether it was a Battalion or Regiment with two and three respectively.

The "C" could be indicating Charlie Company, but might be the Battalion designation.

This would also be why the Medical Officer was a Lieutenant Colonel when John was tested on the 4th November 1917.

I could be wide of the mark though :-)

Answer 3

You may be able to figure it out with this resource:

http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/military-heritage/Pages/military-abbreviations.aspx#c

Answer 4

I would like to bring your attention a source provided by LAC (Library and Archives Canada) titled Abbreviations used in service files.  It has an abbreviation TABTB which stands for Vaccine against Typhoid, Paratyphoid A & B, Tetanus and Diphtheria.  I believe the TAB on page 13 is  shorten version of TABTB and the record indicates the person has received a vacination.  All other marking in the entry is of no consequence.