APPENDIX B
REMARKS ON MILITARY NOMENCLATURE
In any Science the first step towards systematizing it is to form a definite terminology on systematic lines. Nor is this mere pedantry. Words are the expressions of thought; without defined terms there can be no clear thinking.
None can have read much, or written at all, on military matters without noticing the unsatisfactory nature of many of the terms used. Few are short, crisp, and definite, like Troop, Squad, Staff. Compare these with Regiment, Division, Artillery. Confusion also constantly arises from the indeterminate meanings of words like Commander, Section, Brigade, Unit.
Other words are cumbrous, like Medical Services (or Officer), Mounted Infantry, Ammunition Column, Lines of Communication, Mounted Brigade, Veterinary Services (or Officer). Some single words are urgently needed instead of these.
In British Establishments, simplification would result if there were one word for Drummers, Buglers, and Trumpeters, and one for all personnel except Officers. Dismounted men is a poor name for men who were never mounted.
The organization of Artillery cries out for some systematized terms. Field Artillery includes in foreign armies the batteries of Field Guns, Howitzers, and Horse Artillery, but is generally used for those of Field Guns only. A general word to include guns and howitzers is needed. Wagon is used for transport wagons and ammunition wagons, and a single word for the latter is much needed; the American word caisson, or the old English tumbril, might be used. A better word is wanted for Machine-Gun, which is not a gun, but a rifle. Divisional Artillery, a unit of several Brigades under a General, might have a special name. Divisional Ammunition Column seems a very long term when writing Orders.
Cavalry and Infantry might well be usually replaced by Horse and Foot. The words Troop and Squadron might be used without the addition of “Cavalry,” as indeed Company and Battalion without adding “Infantry.” It would be convenient if, in the British Service at any rate, the word Regiment always connoted Horse, to avoid adding “Cavalry,” just as Battalion connotes Foot.
Turning to ranks of Officers, the word General might be used instead of G.O.C. The term Commander is used indiscriminately, and might be confined to Subordinate Commanders of Corps and Divisions, leaving Commander-in-Chief for the Army Command, with Supreme Commander where there are several Armies. A single word for the Divisional Commander would be convenient, like Brigadier for the Brigade Commander. Commanding Officer should always imply the C.O. of a Cavalry Regiment, Infantry Battalion, or Artillery Brigade, and might be rendered, as in French, by the word Chief. The word Captain does not imply the important and similar functions of the Squadron, Company, and Battery Leader, who is often a Major; and the word Leader might be adopted. The good old words “Cornet” and “Ensign” might be reintroduced.
D.A.A.G. and D.A.Q.M.G. are deplorable titles, as are also Inspector-General of Communications and Commander of Lines of Communication Defences.
We have Gunner, Driver, and Sapper; why should not Trooper be officially used for private of Cavalry?