Appointment Titles and Call Signs
In military radio communication, specific appointment titles (such as Commander or Signals Officer) use standardized voice call signs. These tactical call signs keep unit functions clear and hide real names over open radio networks.
Sunray indicated reference to a commander but the level of command was disguised, so the subject could be anyone from a LCpl to a General. 9-er usually referred to the CO.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3405827)
Signalman J.T. Prime of 1st Canadian Army Signals, Royal Canadian Corps of Signals (RCCS), operating a local radio receiver and remote unit, Zeddam, Netherlands, 4 April 1945.
A callsign was the reference to the radio user, on complex nets prefixed by the Arm Indicator to prevent duplication.
Nicknames which were also used, but usually changed twice-daily,.
A typical call could be, “Hello India 54, this is India 54A, Relay to Golf 22, Sunray Callsign Tango 2 will meet your Seagull at BREAD BASKET one hour before your Molar arrives, over.”
ACORN – Intelligence Staff
ATOLL -Transport support ops staff
BASEBALL – Direction / Air Traffic Control
BLUEBELL – Marine eng/REME/Engineer
BOXWOOD – NBC Staff
CRACKER – Locating incl artillery int staff
CONROD – Direction officer/air defence rep
CONTRACTOR – Movements
FELIX – Ammo tech officer
FIREGUARD – RAF Regiment
FLOATER – Amphibious ops officer
FORTUNE – Forward air controller
FOXHOUND – Infantry
GLOWWORM – Ground liaison / air liaison officer
HAWKEYE – Aviation officer
HOLDFAST – Engineers
IRONSIDE – Armour
KESTREL – Infantry ops off.
KINGFISHER – Air Liaison off.
MANHOLE – Admin staff
METEOR – Met forecaster
MOLAR – Logistics / QM
MOONBEAM – Chief of Staff
NOMAD – Navigation
NUTSHELL – Q Staff
OFFSET – Offensive support ops rep
PLAYTIME – Transport
PRONTO – Signals
RICKSHAW – Ordnance
SEAGULL – Air staff (ops)
SHELDRAKE – Gunnery staff
SHOTGUN – Armourer
SPINDLE – Airborne forward air controller
SPYGLASS – Air recce
STARLIGHT – Medical
SUNRAY – OC
VESTMENT – Air contact officer
WATCHDOG – Provost