TOPIC:

FE Walter (2 Norfolks) says his battalion arrived in port on 23 Jan 1900 and that "Right half battalion and regimental headquarters" started for the front that night. Which companies are the "right half"?

Rob.

Often an infantry battalion consisted of eight companies lettered A to H. The right half battalion would therefore be E to H companies.

I must admit my initial thoughts on the matter were exactly the same as Ian’s but I decided to try and prove the matter by checking out the newspapers of the day for Left Half & Right Half Company which led to this possible alternative conclusion:

Companies themselves were often divided in half and the two halves were called the Left Half Company and the Right Half Company.

An 1886 pre Boer War example:



A 1909 post Boer War example:



The latter was from a report of a shooting competition by the Suffolk Cyclists who comprised of four companies namely E,F G, H which were each divided in half to form eight teams. Thus you can deduce the competition was won by the G Left Half Company and their individual scores were provided.

I could go on with lots of other examples.

Thank you,

Now this does provide an alternative solution. However, I do know from my research that splitting a battalion into A, B, C, D and E, F, G, H was also common practice, the Wiltshire, Berkshire Suffolk and Essex regiments being known examples. The Carabiners have also been seen to split their Squadrons in half in this way.

Perhaps it was a local arrangement rather than one set by the Army?

Thank you chaps.

The phrase occurs in the memoir just the once. All other references are to combinations other than A to D or E to G.

H Coy was away in the 7th Mounted Infantry. The gap was filled by a Volunteer Service Company. Walter mentions "I Coy" which may be the Volunteers.

I had not seen left or right half of company used before. I will bear it in mind when I see half companies mentioned.

Rob.

Rob,

Which Regiment are we talking about here?

Most Infantry regiments had eight Companies and each regiment received a Company of Volunteers who became their ninth or “I” Company.

I’m sure that the Forum members would like to read the memoir if you could possibly share it here.