Confused by companies...

[Landsturm]

It`s time to solve this problem in my head. So, infantry battalion comprised an HQ company and four rifle companies. Usually lettered A, B, C and D (or in some cases numbered 1 to 4). But in some cases the companies are lettered W, X, Y and Z. Why is this so? Did it change during the war? When? Why?

Donald Fosten`s and Robert Marrion`s book "The British Army 1914-18" (Men-at-Arms 81, Osprey). One color plate (by Gerry Embleton) illustrating British soldiers in Western front in 1918 notes that colored bands on the shoulder straps identify the company, W (blue), X (red), Y (mauve) and Z (green). In other theaters (ex. Salonika) colored shoulder bands identified the division.

Thanks in advance!

[Aurel Sercu]

Last September I had a problem with companies too.

However, mine was about companies E, F, G and H.

But who knows, you might find something of interest in the answers I received ?

http://1914-1918.org/forum/index.php?showt...77&hl=companies

Aurel

[Muerrisch]

use the search facility: we have been here before, more than once!

abcd

PQRS

wxyz

and others

[dycer]

Whilst I will not delve into Company Letters

From the 8th Royal Scots in World War 1

Organisation

Battalion proceeded overseas 4th November 1914,with 8 Companies.

Made into 4 Companies in February 1915.

Reduced to 3 Companies in February 1918.

Became Pioneer Battalion,27 July 1915.(I'm not sure if the reduction in Companies was a reflection of the Battalion being a Pioneer Battalion as well as the general reduction in strength in 1918).

Returned to Haddington,30th April 1919(just to round off the picture.)

George