Nov. 21st.
For some unknown reason the Battalion had not been permitted to adopt the "double company system" in England, but on this date the change was made with half the Battalion absent in the trenches.
"A" and "D" Companies became No. 1, under Major King.
"E" and "O" Companies became No. 2, under Captain Soames.
"G" and "P" Companies became No. 3, under Major Burnell.
"H" and "Q" Companies became No. 4, under Captain Bates.
[Ploegsteert.]
Experimenting with a Rifle Grenade.
From Left to Right:—Lieut.-Col. Earl Cairns, C.M.G., Col.-Sgt. Over, Staff-Sgt. (now Regtl. Sgt.-Maj.) Adams, and Capt. Oppenheim, D.S.O.
![[Ploegsteert.]](#554794819204116998_i-04.jpg.id-8963751100694081883.wrap-0.html.html){kind=link}
For the purposes of reference, these companies will be referred to as A, B, C, and D respectively, though, owing to the confusion that might have arisen with the old letters, this nomenclature was not actually adopted till after the second battle of Ypres.
Up to December 18th the trench training of the London Rifle Brigade continued. Platoons and whole companies, gradually working more and more on their own, were attached to the Regulars. When not actually in the line, the whole day was invariably taken up with "fatigues" of all kinds.