Driver (rank)

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A Driver was a military rank used in the British Royal Artillery and artillery corps of other commonwealth armies throughout the First and Second World War, as well as in earlier conflicts. It was equal to the rank of private, however it consisted of driving a form of transportation which pulled artillery and equipment.

During the First World War, drivers were in charge of a team of up to six horses which pulled field artillery to areas of fighting. It is likely that they were also capable of performing the duties of a gunner when required or a replacement was needed. During the Second World War the position was almost the same, although horses were replaced with jeeps and other more modern military vehicles.