Battalion or other numbers

[ErnieNoakes]

Sorry to be a pain in the **** but can someone please indicate what numbers containing a / mean? For instance 2/5 Bn. Does it mean the second fifth Bn? If so why would there be a second fifth bn? Why not simply use the next available number?

[Guest DNH]

Generally speaking, this designation refers to territorial force battalions.

In the example of the Manchester Regiment 5th to 10th Bns were territorials located in various places in what is now Greater Manchester, ie 5th Wigan, 6th Hulme, 7th Manchester, 8th Ardwick, 9th Ashton under Lyne, 10th Oldham. They recruited heavily in 1914 just as the various service battalions. When the battalions were full, they recruited 2nd Line Battalions, initially for reserve and training purposes, often formed around a core of men in the territorial force who did not take imperial service obligation. These were numbered 2/5th, 2/6th etc and the original battalions then had to be referred to as 1/5th to distinguish between them. When these 2nd Line Battalions were embodied for service, 3rd Line Battalions were created for reserves and training.

Have a look at this page on the Long, Long trail website for info on Territorials

The service battalions were allocated the numbers next in sequence, so in the Manchesters example 11th onwards were wartime service only recruits.

Cheers

[ErnieNoakes]

Thanks,

It's obvious when you know how isn't it?