If the line is ordered to retire the Colour party will turn about, and the centre serjeant, stepping forward two paces, will align himself with the rear rank.
In column or quarter column, the Colour party will be in rear of the leading centre company, its front rank aligned with the supernumerary rank covering the fourth, fifth, and sixth files from the directing flank.
In quarter column, as above, but the two non-commissioned officers in the rear rank will move up respectively on the right and left of the Colours.
In column of double companies the Colour party will be in rear of the centre of the second double company.
6. Posts of staff officers, &c.—Posts of staff officers and staff serjeants, band and drams (or bugles), machine gun, regimental transport and stretcher bearers and cyclists, when present, are shown in Plates IX and X.
7. Officers’ swords, when to be drawn and returned.—On ceremonial parades, officers will draw their swords as they fall in; the commander of a parade will not draw his sword unless a senior officer be present on parade. Swords will be at the Carry when colours are at the Carry, S. 189, on other occasions they will be at the Slope.
8. Marking points and markers.—Flags or posts may be set up to mark the line on which troops are to form, or the line may be picked out, or marked by whitewash.
The section commanders of the inner sections of a company are available to act as markers, and one or both may be employed, if desired. The words ON MARKERS should precede the command given when it is required to dress on markers. Markers in giving points should turn towards the point of formation at arm’s length in front of the alignment, with arms at the slope on the shoulder furthest from the alignment. When the men approach they will extend their inner arm at right angles to the body with the fist clenched, on which the line will dress. When the dressing is completed markers will resume their positions on the command STEADY.
185. Sizing a Company.
Companies will be sized in the following manner.