Army Certificates of Education

Does anyone know the subjects and criteria that were required for the 3rd, 2nd and 1st Class Army Certificates of Education circa 1939?
Any help will be appreciated

 

Hi,

I've got copies of my Dad's 3rd & 2nd Class Certificates from 1937 (Guards Depot) & 1938 (Alexandria) that I'll look at tomorrow if no one gets back before then. His plan to study for 1st class certificate was prevented by active service in Palestine 1938/39.

Regards

Steve

 

This may be of little help to you as the dates are way out but I have my Grandad's 3rd and 2nd class Certificates of Education from 1922 and 1924. The 3rd class one doesn't have the details of subjects on it. The 2nd class one says "English, Mathematics or Handicraft, Map Reading."

 

The following information is quoted from Skelley (1977):*
"In 1861 a new inducement towards learning was the army certificate of education. On the recommendation of the Council of Military Education three levels or standards were set out and were linked with promotion in the ranks. The third-class certificate specified the standard for promotion to the rank of corporal: the candidate was to read aloud and to write from dictation passages from an easy narrative, and to work examples in the four compound rules of arithmetic and the reduction of money. A second-class certificate, necessary for promotion to sergeant, entailed writing and dictation from a more difficult work, familiarity with all forms of regimental accounting, and facility with proportions and interest, fractions and averages. First-class certificates were a great deal more difficult and were required for commissions from the ranks. Successful candidates had to read and take dictation from any standard author; make a fair copy of a manuscript; demonstrate their familiarity with more complicated mathematics, except cube and square root and stocks and discount; and as well prepare for examination in at least one of a number of additional subjects. After 1887 candidates were examined in British history and geography in place of a special subject. First-class certificates were awarded on the results of periodic examinations held by the Council (later Director-General) of Military Education. Second and third-class certificates were presented on the recommendations of the Army schoolmaster. The third-class certificate of education was considered to be too high given the level of literacy of many army recruits, and the Commission+ urged the introduction of a fourth (minimum) standard."**
* SKELLEY, A.R. The Victorian Army At Home: The Recruitment and Terms and Conditions of the British Regular, 1859-1899. Mc Gill-Queen’s University Press, Montreal, 1977, p. 94, 95, and 311.
+ A Royal Commission was appointed in 1868 to enquire into the provisions for educating officers and officer candidates, with jurisdiction extended to cover the provisions for instructing the rank and file.
** The fourth-class certificate of education was abolished in 1888.

 

Hi,

3rd Class Cert is a preprinted Army Form C310 and does not list any specific subjects.

2nd Class Cert is a preprinted Army Form C309 and lists subjects as -

ENGLISH
IMPERIAL MILITARY HISTORY & GEOGRAPHY (TYPED AMENDMENT TO ARMY & EMPIRE)
MAP READING
MATHEMATICS OR LANGUAGE (ONE ONLY REQUIRED)

Grades in individual subjects classed as PASS or DISTINGUISHED.

DISTINGUISHED grades typed on certificate.

Hope that helps.

Regards

Steve

 

I've had a look through some certificates I have and up to the mid-30's they seem to list the subjects the award was for but after that they don't, not sure if the criteria changed or just the certificate.

Regards

Alistair

 

Many thanks Steve, Alistair, South and Jedburgh. Information is very enlightening and much appreciated.
Terry

 

I was reading my grandfathers records and seeing mentions there of his "Second Class Certificate"

So from post #4 above:

"A second-class certificate, necessary for promotion to sergeant, entailed writing and dictation from a more difficult work, familiarity with all forms of regimental accounting, and facility with proportions and interest, fractions and averages."

Along with a "stamp" listing apparently some of the Military Schools - as regards though which he attended I'm guessing it is the handwritten tick (oops! meant tick not text!) besides this stamp which is telling.....

Duke of York's Royal Military School
Royal Hibernian Military School
Queen Victoria School
Industrial School under Home Office or Local Government Board. (Ticked)

Unless it is actually possible that he "attended them all"?

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All the best,

Rm.

Ps. thanks dbf (post #9) below...

 

Hi,


The 4 types of school mentioned at #2 on his military history sheet refer to education pre enlistment.

His Army Education Certificate mentioned at #3 on his military history sheet would have been obtained after enlistment and a course of studies as a serving soldier.

Regards

Steve Y

 

I found some info on a "Duke of York's Royal Military School"
Here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duke_of_York%27s_Royal_Military_School

And here: http://www.doyrms.com/

And the "Royal Hibernian Military School" : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Hibernian_Military_School

As well as Queen Victoria School: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Victoria_School

But I think that they are just what a "standard form stamp" said. As they appear to be all over the place