Platoon Sergeants Major Shortly before the Second World War began, the British Army (and, subsequently, the Canadian Militia) adopted a new rank - Warrant Officer Class III.  This new rank was designated by a crown worn on the lower sleeve of the uniform jacket.  A new appointment was also created for this new rank - Platoon Sergeant Major.

Upon mobilization, many prospective leaders were appointed PSM.  The experiment was not a successful one, and both armies decided to do away with the rank, preferring that all platoons in infantry units be instead commanded by commissioned officers.

It was in Shilo in 1940 that the appointment of Platoon Sergeant Major was phased out of the Calgary Highlanders, and 11 PSMs were recommended for commissions at that time, according to Roy Farran's history.  He cites the program of commissioning these NCOs as being successful, if the example of the Calgary Highlanders in Shilo is any indication.  These are the 11 PSMs he mentions specifically by name, with notes, where known, about their careers as officers.

WO III J.C. Allen		Went on to command PPCLI in Korea, earned the DSO.
WO III R. Cross		Went on to serve as a major in the postwar Regular Army.
WO III R.J. Downie
WO III R. Gordon		After the war, went on to be a brigade major in the Militia.
WO III W. Jamieson
WO III Kench
WO III R.G. McLean
WO III Don Munro		Went to PPCLI in 1943 as a Lieutenant; served in the Calgary Highlanders after WW II and retired as a Major.
WO III Sherwin Robinson	See below	Eventually became a company commander with the Calgary Highlanders.  After the war commanded a squadron of the King's Own Calgary Regiment.
WO III Mark Tennant	See below	Achieved the rank of Major with the Calgary Highlanders; after the war commanded the battalion.
WO III Wood

Other PSMs on strength at this time were later commissioned, such as Sam Nickle (see below).

PSM Sam C. Nickle (later to be commissioned into the Canadian Intelligence Corps - and eventually serve as Honourary Colonel of The Calgary Highlanders from 1971-1986); PSM W. Black; PSM Mark Tennant (later to serve as company commander in the Calgary Highlanders, and postwar as Commanding Officer and Honourary Lieutenant Colonel of the regiment), PSM Sherwin Robinson (later to serve as company commander in the Calgary Highlanders).