From some records I have seen, a man, in say a second-line TF or a training battalion, who was posted overseas as part of a replacement draft, seemed to lose any senior rank he may have gained in the UK e.g. he may have been a Sergeant at home but reverted to Private when he landed in France and joined the IBD.

Was this the norm and did his pay get reduced accordingly? Did he retain any seniority when promotion became available in his new unit.

Thanks.

Andy.

Hello Andy

He might have lost any lance or temporary rank he held, but a full Sergeant or Corporal could only be reduced by sentence of court-martial, or on the sanction of a general officer for inefficiency, or possibly at his own request.

He would be paid according to his permanent rank.

It may well be that he went to France (etc) to an Infantry Base Depot earmarked for an NCO replacement when a suitable vacancy arose in his regiment, but he might have to remain a private (or corporal) until the vacancy occurred.

Ron

Andy,

It seems to have been standard practice in some battalions that had been part of the West Lancashire Division (at least) to expect Lieutenants with no active service experience to revert to 2Lt on arriving in France in 1915.

I haven't got chapter and verse on this but could do so (I hope) if necessary

Ian

This may be one of those rank/appointment issues but most of 17/Manchesters lance corporals (listed in the City Battalions Book of Honour) are shown as privates on their MIC.

Here's an example. This man was a sergeant at home in the MGC and then reverted to private on posting overseas (although he was promoted back to sergeant again later in the year). There are other examples and I have seen it in contemporary newspaper reports so it appear to have been quite a widespread practice.