What is a Super Company?

[manxsapper1915]

Hello all

I'm currently researching units basd at Knockaloe Camp in the Isle of Man 1914-19. In 1916 the 3/5th Manchesters had a Company based there, one of the guards died whilst on service and he was mentioned that he was serving in " the 1st Super  Company".

Can anyone enlighten me on what this coy was; was Super another name for a composite unit?

Many thanks

 

Baz

 

Edited 16 April , 2023 by manxsapper1915

[FROGSMILE]

1 hour ago, manxsapper1915 said:

Hello all

I'm currently researching units basd at Knockaloe Camp in the Isle of Man 1914-19. In 1916 the 3/5th Manchesters had a Company based there, one of the guards died whilst on service and he was mentioned that he was serving in " the 1st Super  Company".

Can anyone enlighten me on what this coy was; was Super another name for a composite unit?

Many thanks

 

Baz

 

It means “Supernumerary” Company, which in British Army administrative terminology meant a sub-unit surplus to the normal establishment of a unit and usually on a temporary basis.  Basically if a battalion had more men than was established then the surplus would be organised in a supernumerary company.  This happened more commonly in reserve and auxiliary units, especially when made up of lower grade men where the strength fluctuated as drafts of men arrived and departed in the usual ebb and flow of wartime manning ‘churn’.

Edited 16 April , 2023 by FROGSMILE

[Terry_Reeves]

You will find a full explanation in this article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Reserve_(United_Kingdom)

TR

[manxsapper1915]

Many thanks Frogsmile and Terry for those very informative posts and also answers the fact there were other units at Company strength at the camp during 1916 would were part of Territorial Army units.

 

Baz

Edited 16 April , 2023 by manxsapper1915