Double companies

[oak]

Pals,

Under a special army order of 26 September 1913 existing British Army eight companies battalions were reformed into four "double companies." I'd be very grateful if anyone could tell me why the term "double companies" was used? Why didn't the army just say "the existing eight companies will be refomed into four larger companies. The new companies will be double the size of the old companies."? Or did the term "Double Company" have a particular significance? In a couple of regimental histories I've seen the term "Double Company" used sometime after the reform had been introduced.

In a couple of regimental histories I've noticed that the introduction of "double companies" is mentioned and the new company names given e.g. 'A', 'B,' 'C,' 'D', 'E,' 'F,'G,' and 'H' became 'A,' 'B,' 'C,' and 'D'. Yet later the regimental history continues to talk about 'G' Company. I'd be grateful if anyone could explain why this occurred.

Even more baffling, I've even later found later reference in the same regimental histories -- that had up to then spoken of Companies 'A,' 'B,' 'C,' and 'D,' -- to Companies 'W,' 'X,' 'Y,' and 'Z.' Again, I'd be grateful if anyone could enlighten me on this, please

Was there a standard way of designating companies e.g. 'A,' 'B,' etc. or was it up to the regiment? If the latter, could they decide to use numbers instead of letters?

Regards,

Philip

[Graham Stewart]

Philip,

You've grasped the idea of the change from the old eight company system into the new four double company system, which was applied to all units which served overseas. For those Reserve and Extra Reserve or T.F. units which remained at home the story was slightly different, as they continued with the old system, mainly due to the large numbers of recruits that were coming through. As T.F. Battalions proceded overseas they too adopted the new double company system.

The same applied to Service Battalions, but whilst at home as they were allowed to recruit additional "Depot" Companies prior to serving overseas, these in turn also were lettered 'E', 'F', 'G' and so on. These Depot Companies in turn were then formed into local reserve battalions and re-lettered 'A', 'B', 'C', 'D', but would also form additional lettered companies as and when required.

Graham.

[Greg Bloomfield]

Some regiments with several battalions adopted the system whereby the 1st battalion's companies would be lettered A, B, C and D, the 2nd battalion's E, F, G and H etc...

This system is still in use with the Royal Marines and I have also come across it elsewhere.

Greg

[Muerrisch]

'Double company' is a convenient shorthand. The British Army was at last coming into line with continental armies. The subject of lettering or numbering the companies is dealt with extensively: please try 'search'. I believe the large company concept was particularly helpful in trenches: an original company would have been hard-pressed to find a 'duty officer' from its three, throughout all 24 hours in the line, whereas a double company could roster from four or five, leaving the OC to organise, administer, supervise and also command in set-piece actions.

[Old Tom]

Hello,

WXY&Z were adopted for the companies of the battalions that landed at Gallipoli. I belive the beaches were so designated. My notes show that on 1 Jan 14 Inf Bns changed to have 4 coys of 200 rather than 8 coys of 100. This was mainly for administrative reasons. However the fire units changed from 25 mean under a sergeant to 10 men under a Corporal. The concept of platoons and sections had yet to come.

Old Tom

[oak]

Many thanks Pals,

Can I just clarify what I now think is the position? This will allow pals to correct me if I'm wrong.

Following the 1913 directive battalions stationed abroad reformed their eight companies into four "double" companies. This resulted in each "double" company having twice the number of officers. The companies at home still had eight companies.

Some companies adopted a different lettering system for each battalion. The battalions that landed at Gallipoli used W, X, Y and Z for their companies. My query arose from researching battalions that were serving in India at the outbreak of war and went on to land in Gallipoli. (So well done Old Tom!)

Does anyone know if, when the battalions came home from India to Britain they reverted to eight companies and then re-reverted to "Double" companies when they went to Gallipoli?

Regards,

Philip

[Muerrisch]

I think that regular [line] battalions all changed to double companies at about the same time: the exceptions were TF and SR, who lagged behind. New Army battalions formed as double companies.

AO 323 of 1913 introduced the 4 coy organisation wef 1 Oct 1913, coys to be A to D, platoons 1 to 16 or [some regiments] I to XVI.

Subsequently, AO 207 and 210 of 1914 dealt with appointments and pay of CSM and CQMS, and 306, dated August 1914, finally got round to approving Infantry Training 1914, on which bible the whole double company idea was based.

I would be surprised to hear of any line battalion not on the new establishment on 4 Aug 1914.

[oak]

Thank you to the Royal Welch Fusiliers!

Philip

[Muerrisch]

no worries