Question about NMRA recruiting in 1942 and military tests

Discussion in 'Canada' started by Frederic Smith, Jul 15, 2020.

  1. Hello guys,

    Maybe one of the very knowledgable people here can help me.

    I am currently researching the military journey of a young men from Montreal called under the NMRA in November 1942 (he ended up in Italy with the R22eR after he decided to volunteer in 1944). He was one month short of 20 years old at the time. This young man was a French Speaker but attended an English business school and became fluent in English.

    Now, two months before, it looks like he had already been called by the Army. The family archives only mention this :

    9 sept. 1942 - M. Test - SunLife Bldg - 139 Points - Refus – Commission

    I presume "M. Test" is for Military Test.

    The SunLife Building was known as a military recruiting center at that time.

    Now, do you have any idea how the points system worked? Here it says he got 139 points but his application was rejected ("Refus" in French).

    And then "Commission" is written. Was he rejected for an army commission? Was it possible to pass a test for such a commission at the time? I doubt it.

    Nowhere in his files did he allude to any attempt to volunteer prior to being called up under the NMRA (including some stories he wrote about his time in the Canadian Infantry and a journal covering the 1942-1944 period).

    He was a cadet for a few years while in high school. Were they automatically called for some tests when the Army decided to accelerate its recruiting in 1942?

    If anyone has any insight about this mention in the family archives, I would glady read you.

    Thank you,

    Fred Smith
    Quebec City, Canada
     
  2. klambie

    klambie Senior Member

    I don't have any great knowledge of the process, but a few thoughts:
    • M Test was a type of IQ test, typically administered after enlistment in order for the Army to determine capabilities. Above average scores tended to go to Armour, Artillery, Signals which were considered more technical. Average and lower scores tended to Infantry or Service Corps
    • I have seen 125-130 as average for most infantry soldiers (other ranks)
    • 150 was considered well above average
    • Not sure about direct enlistment as an Officer candidate. Typically happened through the Militia and it's possible they did an M Test to determine suitability? High school graduation was seen as an important marker to handle administrative duties. Note this is just about acceptance for training as an officer, an actual commission was well down the road
    • There were acknowledged language issues with the test, a French version was not rolled out until 1942
    • Assuming that the dates are correct and he was not yet in the Army at the time of his test, understanding officer recruitment would seem to be the avenue to research
    • Hayes implies that Officer Candidate Training Unit selection boards established starting in 1942 did testing in the course of evaluating candidates
    Have you obtained his personnel file from the Archives in Ottawa? That might shed some light, though it might not directly include his attempt to volunteer as an Officer candidate (it that's what it was). His later documentation might make reference to it though.

    Geoffrey Hayes, 'Crerar's Lieutenants: Inventing the Canadian Junior Army Officer 1939-1945'
    Copp/Hamelin https://scholars.wlu.ca/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1429&context=cmh talks about M tests more generally in a study of the R. de Maisonneuve
    HMC Carver, 'Personnel Selection in the Canadian Army' might be the paper to track down Humphrey M.C. Carver Fonds - Archives
     
  3. Thanks so much for your time and your response.

    Further research since I posted makes you right on many aspects. A doctorate thesis from Quebec historian Caroline D'Amours was of great help.

    The M Test was 20 minutes long and split in 8 small parts. It was indeed a type of IQ test. However it seems that higher points were indicative of habilities to become Officers or Senior Non-Commissionned Officers. I found the score sheet from August 1942 (my translation from D'Amours' thesis) :

    Less than 75 Little chance of success in normal elementary and higher education.
    More than 90 Reasonable chance of success at normal elementary and higher education.
    More than 120 Recruits designated for trade training in most services and units must have the training skills represented by results ranging from 120 to 160 points.
    More than 145 Above average ability; eligible to become a non-commissioned officer.
    More than 160 Superior Ability. Combined with the ability to drive men, it is of such a nature as to make the subject a good officer.​

    My guy scored 139 points, which is pretty good. For French-speaking candidates, a score of 125 (rather than 145) was necessary for eligibility to become a non-commissionned officer. This difference takes into account the cultural distortions inherent in intelligence tests. You are right, a French version of the test was rolled out in 1942.

    I tried to obtain the personnel file from LAC back in February. Their response was that they were currently treating demands received in March 2018... So there is a 2 years waiting list. Unbelievable. A few years back I only waited 3 or 4 months max. But since LAC sufffered budget cuts and they don't have the ressources to treat the demands faster.

    So I made a new request under the Access to Information Act (it costs 5$). Normally the law requires that they answer under 30 days. But then COVID-19 happened and LAC offices are closed. So I am still waiting. I am hopefull it will shed some light on his motivations to submit to the M Test.

    Thanks again and take care,
     
  4. klambie

    klambie Senior Member

    I suspect it's the same process as your ATI request, but I've used an Ottawa researcher to get files and avoid the long general queue. About $30 and a 30 day turnaround during normal times. Assume he is also blocked until LAC re-opens. PM if you are interested in contact details.
     
  5. I will certainly do for futur needs. Thanks!
     

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