What is a W. A. S. Inspection (Eng)? (1939 REGISTER)

[PatLac]

Fair enough, but considering this is the only example of this occupation in the entire 1939 Register, I imagine whoever wrote it either made a mistake or invented this abbreviation. 

[willyam]

As many of Mr Thompson's neighbours in the 1939 Register were involved in the woollen trade, might I suggest that he was possibly a Weaving and Spinning Inspector. The importance of which role is currently summarised via Google AI Overview.

Willyam

[Andrew Tarr]

Welding and Smelting Inspection (Engineer)?

Welding and smelting are very different activities.  Although (critical/structural) welds might be inspected, I can't think what 'inspection' would take place for smelting - it would be the resulting castings which might be inspected for quality, and that would probaby be a "casting inspector".

Yes, they are different.  How about Welding and Soldering ?  (not very serious, but if we are going in that direction ?) 

[mazi]

Just to throw more confusion in, does anyone think that if in the original the A is indeed a capital letter, followed by a full stop, then it is unlikely to be an abbreviation of “and”

[Zaphod99]

Mazi, I think that is a very good point and you are correct. I don't think it stands for the word 'and'.

Zaph

[JenB]

As written on the 1939 form it is indeed as originally posted by Zaphod.

[PatLac]

So... it's actually W. A. S Inspection (ENG) as you had posted before, JenB

[SouthseaSteel]

I'm sure I've heard the expression "Wool, Acrylic and Silk" somewhere!!!

[LizzieL]

Acrylic yarn wasn't invented until 1940s