What was the Young Soldier Battalion of the Training Reserve?

The definition of the Young Soldier Battalions of the Training Reserve was issued in an appendix to Army Council Instruction 986 of 1917.

Men recruited as conscripts under the Military Service Act 1916 who were aged up to 18 years and 5 months would begin their training with a Young Soldier Battalion.

Headquarters

  • 1 Lieutenant-Colonel in command
  • 1 Major second in command
  • 1 Adjutant
  • 1 Quartermaster
  • 1 Warrant Officers Class I (Sergeant Major)
  • 1 Warrant Officers Class II (Quartermaster Sergeant)
  • 1 Colour Sergeant instructor in musketry
  • 1 Orderly Room Sergeant
  • 1 Orderly Room clerk
  • 1 Pioneer Sergeant
  • 1 Sergeant Shoemaker
  • 1 Sergeant Cook
  • 1 Sergeant
  • 1 Armourer attached from the Army Ordnance Corps
  • 16 Drummers (recruits under age of 18 years and one month or less, or others of medical category C)
  • 50 Employments (men at B2 or C2 medical category, used as batmen, as mess attendants, clerks, in stores, etc)

One Company

  • 2 Majors or Captains, one in command
  • 2 Lieutenants or Second Lieutenants
  • 1 Warrant Officer Class II (Company Sergeant Major)
  • 1 Company Quartermaster Sergeant
  • 8 Sergeants
  • 10 Corporals
  • 218 Privates at medical grade A4 (in training)

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
  • 50 Corporals
  • 1090 Privates at medical grade A4 (in training)
  • The recruits were allotted to companies based on their age:
    • 1st Company was for recruits aged between 18 years and 4 and one-fifth months to 18 years and 5 months;
    • 2nd Company was for recruits aged between 18 years and 3 and two-fifths months to 18 years and 4 and one-fifth months;
    • 3rd Company was for recruits aged between 18 years and 2 and three-fifths months to 18 years and 3 and two-fifths months;
    • 4th Company was for recruits aged between 18 years and 1 and four-fifth months to 18 years and 2 and three-fifths months;
    • 5th Company was for recruits aged between 18 years and 1 month to 18 years and 1 and four-fifth months.

1300 officers and men in all.

On reaching 18 years and 5 months the recruits would be posted on to a Graduated Battalion.

Links

Training Reserve formed in 1916

The remodelled Training Reserve of 1917