albert20 Posted 10 December , 2005 Share Posted 10 December , 2005 Dear forum members, This is probably a daft query, but what do the numbers 1/1 mean as in 1/1 Hertfordshire Regimen, or 1/4 Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment? I know that one of the letters indicates the battalion (for these that would be the 1st battalion?), but what is the significanc of the 2nd number after the forward slash? Is it simply a smaller unit within that battalion? Many thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coldstreamer Posted 10 December , 2005 Share Posted 10 December , 2005 Hello welcome to the forum I always believed it referred to the company but will stand corrected as not 100% sure Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albert20 Posted 10 December , 2005 Author Share Posted 10 December , 2005 Hello welcome to the forum I always believed it referred to the company but will stand corrected as not 100% sure Ian Thanks Ian for the prompt response, Cheers Anita Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grey Squirrel Posted 10 December , 2005 Share Posted 10 December , 2005 (edited) I thought the first number before the stroke was the line, the second number after the stroke the battalion of a Territorial Force as it expanded. For instance, your example 1/4th Btn Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment was raised in August 1914 ; the 2/4th Btn in Sept 1914; and the 3/4th Btn in March 1915. This link on the mother site might help: http://www.1914-1918.net/tf.htm Edited 10 December , 2005 by Grey Squirrel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Compo Posted 10 December , 2005 Share Posted 10 December , 2005 My understanding it has to do with the merger of two under strength battalions into one fully manned battalion, probabbly due to casualties. Example in the Royal Scots Fusiliers regiment on 7th May 1916; the 6th (Service)battalion merged with the 7th (Service) battalion to form the 6/7 battalion. Regds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilB Posted 10 December , 2005 Share Posted 10 December , 2005 Generally speaking, grey squirrel has it right. Compo is also right in that occasional mergers of that sort did take place. Phil B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Lund Posted 10 December , 2005 Share Posted 10 December , 2005 The 1/4 Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment is the 1st 4th Battalion, Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment. This is a territorial battalion originally made up of men who had volunteered for overseas service in 1914. Men in the 2nd 4th Battalion, Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment were a home service unit until 1916, although they could volunteer for service abroad with the 1st 4th at any time, should they wish to do so. Both battalions came from the pre-war 4th Battalion with the addition of new recruits, and are often labelled first and second line units. Companies in these particular battalions were always known by letters. Tony. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albert20 Posted 11 December , 2005 Author Share Posted 11 December , 2005 Thank you all for your replies - this makes things a bit clearer. Anita Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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