Abbreviations

M Navy

Merchant Navy 

I M C

Imperial Maritime Customs (prior to 1911)

C M C

Chinese Maritime Customs (post 1911)

U K, Br.

British

U S

United States of America

Chse.

Chinese

C M

China Mail Newspaper

D P

Daily Press

F of C

Friend of China newspaper

Ch.

Chief (as in Chief Engineer)

P W D

Public Works Department

Prob. Cal.

Probate calendar or Probate file. This indicates that the will of the deceased has been accepted as in order and filed with the relevant Government department according to the number and year, both of which are usually given.

P & O S N Co.

Peninsula & Oriental Steam Navigation Company

N. D. L

Nord Lloyd Company

S S

Steam ship (As opposed to sailing ship which is described as barque or ship)

R. I. P.

Rest in Peace

Dept.

Department

Hse.

House

Insp.       

Inspector

Asst

Assistant

Revd.

The Reverend (minister of a church)

Esq.

Esquire (Mark of social prestige)

Mge.

Marriage

St J Cath

Saint John’s Cathedral

Dau.       

Daughter

R Navy

Royal Navy

R N V R 

Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve

R M

Royal Marines

R A F

Royal air Force

Col.

Colonel

Maj.

Major

Capt       

Captain

Lieut.      

Lieutenant

W.O.

Warrant Officer

N. C. O.

Non-commissioned Officer

Sergt.      

Sergeant

Qu. M. Sergt  

Quarter Master Sergeant

Col Sergt

Colour sergeant

L.Corp, Lce Corp

Lance corporal

Pte

Private

Regt       

Regiment

Bat.

Battalion

Bgde      

Brigade

Comp

Company

R.G.A

Royal Garrison Artillery

Bombadier R A

Corporal

Gunner R A

Private

R.E.        

Royal Engineers

Sapper R E    

Private

R.A.M.C.       

Royal Army Medical Corps

R.A.S.C.

Royal Army Service Corps

R.A.O.C.

Royal Army Ordinance Corps

R E M E

Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers

R W F    

Royal Welch Fusiliers

D of C L I

Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry

K O Y L I

Kings Own Shropshire Light Infantry

The Buffs

East Kent Regiment

R W Kent

Royal West Kent Regiment

R.M.A.           

Royal Marines Artillery

R.M.L.I.         

Royal Marines Light Infantry

Capt.

Captain

Cdr 

Commander

Lieut.

Lieutenant

Midshipman

P. O

Petty. Officer

A.B.       

Able Seaman

O.S.

Ordinary Seaman

L stoker

Leading Stoker

E. R. A.  

Engine Room Artificer

C E R A 

Chief Engine Room Artificer

H M S   

Her/his Majesty’s Ship

H M Dockyard 

Her/his Majesty’s Dockyard

M A

Master of Arts

C.B.

Commander of the Bath

C.B.E.    

Commander of the British Empire

D.S.O.

Distinguished Service Order

M.C.

Military Cross

M.B.E.

Member of the British Empre

O.B.E.

Order of the British Empire

B.E.M.

British Empire Medal

D.C.M.

Distinguished Conduct Medal

J.P.

Justice of the Peace