Reduced to Training Cadre

[Jamie1906]

My grandfather, was as far as my research has taken me, in the 40th Division either with the 10/11th or 14th HLI when the division was Reduced to Training Cadre in May 1918.

Can anyone tell me of the process that was used for the soldiers that didn't form the Training Cadre?

I have seen in other soldiers records that they were then transfered to ' The Base'

What and where was The Base?

Was there any logic to where these other soldiers were transfered to?

My grandfather ended up in 1/14 KOSB !!

many thanks

Jamie

[John_Hartley]

Jamie

"The Base" means the battalion's base in the UK, where the men would have returned prior to de-mobilisation.

I don't know what the basis for selection of men would be for the training cadres- but presumably specialist experience would be a factor. The 60-strong cadre of the 17th Manchesters mainly trained incoming US National Guard units and, it apppears, seemed to be particularly machine gun training and "battle readiness". Other than these, the few remaining troops were being returned to Base in England by mid-May 1918 (according to the war diary). (Presumably via the Channel Port area as described in Charles' posting)

John

[charlesmessenger]

Actually, The Base means the the British area in France, which covered the area of the Channel ports. Men surplus to requirements of the training cadres would have been sent to the Infantry Base Depots situated in the Base area and there allocated to other battalions, often of other regiments.

Charles M

[robwilliams]

I think IBDs were linked around the division to which the units belonged.

There was often no logic applied to moving men around, viz cockneys posted to Highland units!

Rob