Whats is a HQ Company?

[Krithia]

I have come across several postcards in the past of other ranks that are captioned "HQ Company" or similar. Are there any pals out there who can give me details on what a HQ Company is, and their function?

Thanks, Steve

[Muerrisch]

How long have you got?

Strictly speaking, War Establishments do not mention a Headquarters Company, they say Headquarters.

In HQ in 1914 you would find:

Lt Col, Major [known as 'Senior Major', not 2 i/c, which phrase was invented later], Adjt [subaltern or Captain], QM, Transport Officer [a company subaltern with Transport duties], Medical Officer, Sergeant Major, RQMS, Orderly Room Clerk, Sgt Drummer, Sgt Cook, Sgt Shoemaker, Transport Sgt, 11 drivers, 6 batmen, Pioneer Sgt, 10 pioneers, Signaller Sgt, Signaller Cpl, 15 signallers, 16 bandsmen as stretcher bearers, 2 orderlies for Medical Officer, 5 RAMC attached, Armourer Sgt attached, 4 ASC drivers. The MG section of one subaltern, sgt, cpl, 12 privates, 2 drivers and a batman usually came directly under HQ.

The Orderly Room Sgt, the Band Sgt, the Sgt Master Tailor, 4 storemen were normally left at the [overseas] base, and the Bandmaster or Director of Music stayed in UK.

To these, various specialists were subsequently added, either officially or unofficially, such as a Padre or two, and all sorts of NCO instructors: gas, lewis gun, bombing .....

Excluded were the 16 drummers, who paraded 4 to each company.

There were some changes by the end of the war, and there is also the complication of 'Left out of Battle' or 'Battle Surplus'.

More if you are a glutton for punishment.

[charlesmessenger]

Worth adding that the HQ Company did begin to become part of the battalion establishment in early 1917. It encompassed the bn's transport and administrative elements, as well signallers, scouts, snipers, runners, and other specialists. Prior to this the administrative and medical elements came under the Bn 2ic, while the Adjutant was in charge of the rest.

Charles M