The definition of the Graduated Battalions of the Training Reserve was issued in an appendix to Army Council Instruction 986 of 1917.
Most recruits would be posted to a Graduated Battalion after first training with a Young Soldier Battalion.
Headquarters
- 1 Lieutenant-Colonel in command
- 1 Major second in command
- 1 Lewis Gun officer
- 1 Adjutant
- 1 Quartermaster
- 1 officer of the Royal Army Medical Corps attached
- 1 Warrant Officers Class I (Sergeant Major)
- 1 Warrant Officers Class II (Quartermaster Sergeant)
- 1 Orderly Room Sergeant
- 1 Orderly Room clerk
- 1 Signalling Sergeant
- 1 Pioneer Sergeant
- 1 Sergeant Shoemaker
- 1 Sergeant Cook
- 1 Transport Sergeant
- 1 Sergeant
- 1 Armourer attached from the Army Ordnance Corps
- 1 Signalling Corporal
- 2 Pioneers
- 3 Transport drivers
- 5 Privates attached from the Royal Army Medical Corps attached for sanitation and water duties
- 50 Employments (men at B2 or C2 medical category, used as batmen, as mess attendants, clerks, in stores, etc)
- 19 Privates at medical category A4 as Signallers
- 10 Privates at medical category A4 as Pioneers
- 10 Privates at medical category A4 as Transport drivers
- 20 Privates at medical category A4 as Stretcher Bearers
- 2 Privates at medical category A4 as orderlies for Medical Officer
One Company
- 2 Majors or Captains, one in command
- 4 Lieutenants or Second Lieutenants
- 1 Warrant Officer Class II (Company Sergeant Major)
- 1 Company Quartermaster Sergeant
- 8 Sergeants
- 12 Corporals
- 195 Privates at medical grade A4 (in training)
- 3 Privates at medical category A4 (as Transport drivers)
Five Other Companies
- 10 Majors or Captains, five in command
- 20 Lieutenants or Second Lieutenants
- 5 Warrant Officers Class II (Company Sergeant Majors)
- 5 Company Quartermaster Sergeants
- 40 Sergeants
- 60 Corporals
- 975 Privates at medical grade A4 (in training)
- 15 Privates at medical category A4 (as Transport drivers)
- The recruits were allotted to companies based on their age:
- 1st Company was for recruits aged between 18 years and 10 and three-fifth months to 19 years*;
- 2nd Company was for recruits aged between 18 years and 9 and one-fifth months to 18 years and 10 and three-fifth months;
- 3rd Company was for recruits aged between 18 years and 7 and four-fifths months to 18 years and 9 and one-fifth months;
- 4th Company was for recruits aged between 18 years and 6 and two-fifth months to 18 years and 7 and four-fifths months;
- 5th Company was for recruits aged between 18 years and 5 months to 18 years and 6 and two-fifth months.
1269 officers and men in all.
*When this Instruction was issued, the legal minimum age for overseas service was 19.
Links
Training Reserve formed in 1916
The remodelled Training Reserve of 1917