R W Smailes

In this section of the website you can find out more about specialist military terms.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
CO
Commanding Officer.
Colours
Flags carried by an infantry regiment. Each regiment had two flags - a Regimental Colour and a King's or Queen's Colour. Most DLI Colours are hanging in Durham Cathedral.
Company
Part of a battalion. During WW1 there were four companies in a battalion, each with about 250 soldiers led by a Major or Captain. During WW1 companies were named either 'A', 'B', 'C', 'D' or 'W', 'X', 'Y', 'Z'.
Conscript
Man forced to join the Army. Conscription began in UK in 1916. National Service in 1950s was conscription.
Convoy
Line of vehicles on the move.