What was a Battalion of the Royal Defence Corps?

The following standard establishment of a battalion of the Royal Defence Corps comes from “War Establishments, August 1917” (a copy of which is held at the National Archives under reference WO24/915)

Summary level

  • Battalion headquarters: 2 Officers, 1 Staff-Sergeant or Sergeant, 2 Rank and File (Total 5)
  • 11 Companies, totalling: 22 Officers, 55 Staff-Sergeant or Sergeant, 1177 Rank and File (Total 1254)

Details

Battalion headquarters

  • 1 Lieutenant-Colonel in command
  • 1 Adjutant and Quartermaster
  • 1 Orderly Room Sergeant
  • 2 Clerks (which could be Privates RDC or civilians)

Company, each

  • 1 Captain in command
  • 1 Lieutenant
  • 1 Colour-Sergeant
  • 4 Sergeants
  • 6 Corporals
  • 101 Privates of which 13 appointed to Lance-Corporal

Links

Royal Defence Corps

Other types of unit