Infantry training, 1905

by Great Britain. War Office

The march past will be performed on the principles described in S. 191 (2).

2. In double companies.—When a brigade drawn up in line of quarter columns is to march past in double companies, the following method will be adopted:—The battalions will move to the right in fours, and wheel to the left at the double, in succession, as they reach the first point, receiving the word FORWARD followed by QUICK—MARCH, when that pace will not check the battalion in rear. When about half way to the second point, the first battalion will form double companies, thus:—The commanding officer having given the command QUARTER COLUMN OF DOUBLE COMPANIES, LEFT COMPANIES, MARK TIME, LEFT—INCLINE, the left companies will mark time, and the right companies will close when clear to quarter column on No. 1, the left companies receiving the word Forward, Right—Incline from their commanders so as to join the right. The remaining battalions having formed double companies will move into mass.

Each battalion will march past as directed for a battalion in column, the word of command to each double company being given by the company commander on the right. The double companies will march off at company distance.

When the rear double company is twenty-five paces beyond the saluting point the second in command will give the words LEFT COMPANIES, MARK—TIME, RIGHT—INCLINE, DOUBLE, the officers commanding those companies giving Left Incline, Quick—March By the Right, when in column. The column will then be closed on the march to quarter column; and the brigade will be closed to mass on the leading battalion, which will have changed ranks, ordered arms and dressed; each of the remaining battalions will act in like manner. If the brigade is to return in mass, sufficient distance will be allowed for the rear company of the rear battalion to reach the third point.

In mass of quarter columns.—If required, the brigade may then return in mass.

When marching past in column or in column of double companies, or in mass, thirty paces’ distance will be preserved between battalions, &c., such distance to be reckoned from the last item of a preceding battalion to the head of the commanding officer’s horse of a following one.

In line of quarter columns.—The brigade may be formed into line of quarter columns, with intervals of eight paces between battalions, as follows: The leading battalion will advance till its rear company reaches the required point on the saluting base, it will then be ordered to halt, change ranks, order arms, and dress. As the rear of each succeeding battalion arrives at twenty-five paces beyond the saluting point, it will be moved by the diagonal march to its position on the outer flank of the leading battalion in the new alignment.

Great care must be taken that the line of quarter columns is dressed exactly at right angles to the saluting base before moving off; the commanders of companies of the outer battalions looking inwards and dressing on the corresponding companies of the battalion nearest the saluting base.

In a brigade composed of battalions with an unequal number of companies, the rear companies and Colour parties of the weaker battalions are to be aligned with the rear companies and Colour parties of the stronger.

Commanding officers will be ten paces in front of the centre of their leading companies, all other mounted officers ten paces in rear of their respective battalions, the whole dressing by the directing flank.