Exam papers for Infantry Officer Cadet Battalions, 1916-1918

[Charles Fair]

Following a request from @BGS I'll post some of the papers sat by cadets in the Infantry OCBs 1916.1918,  I have tracked down a total of 8 sets held by the IWM, NAM and Liddle Collections.  I will post in chronological order.

All exams consisted of three papers.  Initially this was for a total of 5.5 hours and 220 marks.

If anyone else here has other sets, then please add to this thread.  There must be other extant copies held in regimental museums or privately.

The first full set I have is from December 1916 and is held in the Liddle Collection. 

Edited 2 March by Charles Fair

[Charles Fair]

The second set is January 1917.  Papers have the same titles, but total marks are now 248.  This is also from the Liddle Collection who only hold a photcopies.

[Charles Fair]

The third full set is April 1917 and is held by the NAM (Twist papers).  Total marks have risen to 275.

April 1917 continued with the third paper.

As you can see, the papers have got a bit longer, but still 5.5 hours in total.

[Charles Fair]

The fourth set in June 1917. Total marks 270, but time has now increased to 6.5 hours total. Two of the papers have been swapped round.  I suspect there was feedback that the April papers were trying to cram too much in to the time available.

(As I haven't seen the May 1917 papers I don't know whether the change occurred in May or June.)

[DavidOwen]

Thank you for posting, it gives me an insight into what my GGF was examined on when with an OCB.

[Charles Fair]

The fifth set I have is August 1917. Total marks now up to 300, but time still 6.5 hours total. This set is from the Liddle Collection, (Isherwood papers).

[Charles Fair]

There is then a BIG gap until the next (sixth) set I have found which is July 1918. These are from the Liddle Collection, Askew papers,

Still 6.5 hours but total marks now 330.  However, the papers have been restructured slightly with tactics and training moving around. See the new titles.  I don't yet know when this change occurred, nor the rationale.

I would love to track down some papers from the intervening months.

[Charles Fair]

The seventh set I have is September 1918 and is from my own personal collection (papers of OCdt Coulter No 5 OCB).  Still 330 marks and 6.5 hours, though the balance of marks between papers has changed slightly.

The third paper from the September 1918 set.

[Charles Fair]

By September 1918 the course had been extended from its initial four months to seven month. September 1918 saw the introduction of mid-term exams.

The eight set I have a copy of is that of the October 1918 mid-term exams.  However, the originals are not in my possession and I will need to check with the owner that its OK to post them here.