What was the Graduated Battalion of the Training Reserve?

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