Glossary

In our collection you will encounter military terminology and acronyms. Here you can find out what they mean.

W

Waverer, equivalent to lacking in moral fibre (RAF, Second World War)

W A, HQ

Western Area, Headquarters

W Afr

West Africa

W Aust

Western Australia

W CDR

Wing Commander (RAAF)

W Comd

Western Command

W Tk Bn

Water Tank Battalion (USA)

W W HQ

Works Wing, Headquarters

W Wdr

Warrant Wardmaster

W Yorks

The West Yorkshire Regiment (The Prince of Wales' Own)

W/T

Wireless telegraphy (telegraphist)

Wireless transmitter

W/T STN

Wireless Telegraphy Station (RAAF)

W1

Waterdrome with no Facilities

W2

Waterdrome with no facilities and moorings

W3

Waterdrome with facilities and moorings

WA

Western Australia

WAAAF

Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force

WAAAF Dp

WAAAF (Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force) Training Depot

WAAAF Ts

WAAF (Women's Auxiliary Air Force Services) Training Section

WAAC

Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (USA)

Women's Auxiliary Army Corps (Australia)

WAAF

Women's Auxiliary Air Force Services

WAAFOS

Women's Auxiliary Air Force Officers School

WAASC

Women's Auxiliary Army Service Corps

WAC

Women's Army Corps (USA)

WAC(I)

Women's Auxiliary Corps (India)

WAFF

West African Frontier Force

WAFS

Women's Auxiliary Fire Service

WAG

Wireless Air Gunner

Wallaby Airlines

Popular name for Royal Australian Air Force Transport Flight Vietnam (RTFV)

WANS

Women's Australian National Service

Women's Auxiliary Naval Service

WAPC

Women's Auxiliary Police Corps

WARC

World Administrative Radio Conference

Warwick

The Royal Warwickshire Regiment

WAS

Women's Auxiliary Service

WAS(B)

Women's Auxiliary Service (British)

WASC

Women's All Service Canteen

WASP

Women Airforce Service Pilots (USA)

WAUR

West Australian University Regiment

WAVES

Women Appointed Volunteer Emergency Services (USA)

WAVS

Women Accepted for Volunteer Service (USA)

WAXA

Western Australia Exercise Area (RAN)

WBLC

Waterborne Logistic Craft (pronounced Wiblic)

WD

War Department (USA)

WDGS

War Department General Staff (USA)

Wdr Lt Cr

Wardmaster Lieutenant Commander

WE

War Establishment

Weasel

Small tracked vehicle somewhat similar to a carrier

WEB

Women's Employment Board

WEF

Western Frontier Force

Welch

The Welch Regiment

WELDRGEN

Welder General

Wellington Bn

Wellington Battalion [First World War New Zearland Unit]

Wellington MR Regt

Wellington Mounted Rifles Regiment [First World War New Zearland Unit]

WEPS

Weapons and Equipment Policy Statements

WESC

Women's Emergency Signaling Corps

WESTFOR

West Force (East Timor)

Westgroup

Code name allotted to Army Headquarters on the formation of Supreme Allied Headquarters, South West Pacific

WET

War Equipment Table

Wetting Agent

A chemical agent used to increase the adherence of other liquid agents

WF Det CTC

No 2 Company, Imperial Camel Corps [First World War AIF Camel Corps Unit]

Western Frontier Detachments, Camel Transport Corps [First World War AIF Camel Corps Unit]

WFF

Western Frontier Force

WG

Welsh Guards

Wing

WG & PWC

War Gratuity and Post War Credit

Wg Cdr

Wing Commander

Wg Off

Wing Officer (WRAAF - Women's Royal Australian Air Force)

WGF

Western Group of Forces (Soviet)

WHO

World Health Organisation

Warehouse Officer

Whr

Wheeler

WIA

Wounded in action

WIC

Welfare in Confidence

Wilts

The Wiltshire Regiment (Duke of Edinburgh)

WINDOW

Anti radar metal strips (Second World War)

WING (B)

Wing Base

WING, HQ

Wing Headquarters

WIR

West India Regiment

WIS

Weekly Intelligence Summary

Wis Sig Sqd

Wireless Signal Squadron

WJAC

Women's Junior Air Corps

Wks

Works

Wks Sect

Works Section

WKSFITT

Works Fitter

Wksp

Workshop

WKSSUP

Works Supervisor

WLA

Women's Land Army

WLDRAE

Welder Aircraft

WLFO

Welfare Officer

WMD

Weapons of Mass Destruction

WMO

World Meteorological Organisation

WMU

Works Maintenance Unit (RAAF)

WNEL

Women's National Emergency Legion

WNRC

Washington National Records Center

WO

War Office

Warrant Officer

WO2

Warrant Officer, 2nd Class

WOAS

Whilst on active service

WOD

Warrant Officer Disciplinary

WOENG

Warrant Officer Engineer

WOI

War Organisation of Industry

WOL

War Office Letter

WOM

Wireless Operator Mechanic

WOO

Warrant Ordnance Officer

WOODMACH

Wood Machinist

Worc R

The Worcestershire Regiment

WOSB

War Office Selection Boards (for selecting officer candidates)

WP

Warsaw Pact

Water Point

WPB

War Production Board (USA)

wpn

Weapon (USA)

WPNS

Western Pacific Naval Symposium

WRA

War Relocation Authority

WRAAC

Women's Royal Australian Army Corps

WRAAF

Women's Royal Australian Air Force

WRAC

Women's Royal Army Corps

WRAF

Women's Royal Air Force

WRANNS

Women's Royal Australian Naval Nursing Service

WRANS

Women's Royal Australian Naval Service

WRENS

Women's Rescue Emergency Naval Service

WRESAT

Weapons Research Establishment Satellite

WRNS

Women's Royal Naval Service

WS

Western Sahara clasp to the Australian Service Medal (ASM)

WSO

Water Supply Officer

WSU

Works Supply Unit (RAAF)

WTO

World Trade Organisation

Wtr

Writer (after rank)

WTS

Women's Transport Service

WU

Wireless Unit

WVC(I)

Women's Voluntary Corps (India)

WVC(UK)

Women's Voluntary Corps (United Kingdom)

WVS

Women's Voluntary Services

WWCP

Walking Wounded Collecting Post