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History of the Battalion Staff
> The
Battalion Staff Today
> Dress of the Battalion
Staff
> Customs and Traditions
relating to The Battalion Staff
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HISTORICAL
The Battalion Staff is a group of individuals who have their
own extraordinary duties to ensure the smooth running of the
Battalion. Over the years it has evolved with the phasing
out of various appointments, and the changing of certain
titles.
In the past, all appointments were made by the Regimental
Lieutenant Colonel. Rolls were maintained of those qualified
for the various appointments, and when a vacancy occurred in
one of the battalions, the person at the top of the roll
would fill that vacancy, irrespective of which battalion he
was serving in at that time.
Until recent years, the Battalion Staff consisted of the
following appointments;
Commanding Officer
Second-in-Command
Adjutant
Quartermaster
Technical Quartermaster
Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM)
Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant (RQMS)
Orderly Room Quartermaster Sergeant (ORQMS)
Technical Quartermaster Sergeant (TQMS)
Drill Sergeants (DSgt)
Drum Major
Orderly Room Colour Sergeant (ORCS)
Orderly Room Clerk (ORC)
Master Tailor
Master Cook
Master Shoemaker
Pioneer Sergeant
ORQMS, ORCS & ORC
These appointments were responsible for the smooth running
of the Orderly Room and the clerical administration of the
Battalion. There was either an ORQMS or and ORCS depending
on the incumbents rank, and he was in overall charge of all
clerical administration. The ORC was a Sergeant who was
responsible for the daily routine of the Orderly Room and
the Battalion clerks. Since 1992, these appointments have
been filled by members of the Adjutant General’s Corps (AGC)
and are no longer strictly considered to be part of the
Battalion Staff.
Drum Major
The Drum Major is one of the oldest appointments of the
British Army, and there is mention of a Drum Major around
1650. Between 1881 and 1926 the nomenclature of the
appointment was changed and during that period he was known
as the Sergeant-Drummer. In the days of flogging, it was the
Drum Major who was responsible for seeing that it was
administered correctly, and it is said that the chains
around his cane represents the cat-o-nine-tails that he once
carried.
The Drum Major was responsible for music in the Battalion
and for ensuring that all bugle calls were sounded at the
correct time. He was also responsible for the welfare,
training and education of the Drummer Boys.
Master Shoemaker
He was responsible for the repair and cobbling of all
footwear in the Battalion. He ran the Battalion Cobblers
Shop and had several shoemakers working for him. It is
thought that this appointment died out at around the time of
the Second World War.
Master Cook
Originally known as the Sergeant Cook, the appointment
became eligible for promotion up to WOII after the Second
World War, and the title was changed to Master Cook. He was
in charge of all the cookhouses and cooks within the
Battalion, and for feeding the officers and men both in
barracks and in the field. On the formation of the Army
Catering Corps (ACC) in 1941, the vast majority of army
cooks transferred to that corps, but the Guards Division
retained their own regimental cooks until the early 1970’s
when they too were transferred to the ACC. Since that time,
the appointment has been held by members of the ACC, and
since 1993 by members of the Royal Logistic Corps (RLC).
This is no longer strictly considered to be a Battalion
Staff appointment.
Master Tailor
Known until the 1940’s as the Sergeant-Tailor, he was
responsible for the fitting and repair of all clothing,
especially ceremonial uniforms. Until the late 1940’s, all
Boy Soldiers enlisted as either Drummers or Tailors, and the
Sgt Tailor, along with the Drum Major, was responsible for
their education, welfare and training.
Pioneer Sergeant
The Pioneer is one of the oldest recognised trades within
the British Army. The Pioneer Sgt was responsible for a
 group of artisan tradesmen who were responsible for the
maintenance of barracks and field camps. These tradesmen
consisted of carpenters, bricklayers, slaters, plumbers, gas
fitters, painters and signwriters. In the field their task
equated to what would now be known as Assault Pioneers where
they were responsible for clearing routes and obstacles, and
building bridges.
Traditionally, the Pioneer Sgt may wear a full set beard.
The origins of this are obscure, and there are two trains of
thought; one is that it is to protect the face when clearing
routes through trees and brambles, and the other is to
prevent skin infection when mixing explosives.
Until the early years of the 20th Century, all Pioneers wore
a special pioneer sword. This had a serrated back so that it
could be used as a saw when in the field. Today, the Pioneer
Sgt wears a sword to commemorate the use of this particular
weapon.
When on formal parades, the Pioneer Sgt wears a white
leather apron and gauntlets, and carries a ceremonial axe.
(see image)
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THE BATTALION STAFF TODAY
The Battalion Staff currently consists of the following
appointments;
Commanding Officer
Second-in-Command
Adjutant
Quartermaster
Technical Quartermaster
Regimental Sergeant Major
Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant
Technical Quartermaster Sergeant
Drill Sergeants
Drum Major
Master Tailor
Pioneer Sergeant
These personnel have their own peculiar responsibilities and
duties to ensure the smooth running of the Battalion.
THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES
Commanding Officer
He is appointed to command a Battalion of the Regiment and
he is responsible to the Regimental Lieutenant Colonel for
the training, discipline and administration of that
Battalion.
Second-in-Command
He is responsible for all security matters and the training
of the Battalion. He is also responsible for the instruction
of officers in administrative subjects for promotion
examinations.
Adjutant
He is the Staff Officer of the Battalion and is therefore
responsible to the Commanding Officer for the efficient
transaction of all business and duties for which the
Commanding Officer is responsible to a higher authority.
He is also directly responsible for the following;
1. That officers on joining the Regiment obtain correct
patterns of uniform in accordance with sealed patterns, and
will pass each article before it is taken into use.
2. The drill of officers
3. Keeping of officers duty rosters
4. The Corps of Drums
5. The fitting of all clothing of other ranks within the
Battalion
Quartermaster
A Late Entry officer commissioned from the ranks, he is
responsible for all matters connected with arms, equipment,
clothing, messing, supplies and accommodation.
Technical Quartermaster
Also a Late Entry officer, he assists the Quartermaster by
taking responsibility for arms, ammunition, vehicles and
other technical stores. He stands in for the Quartermaster
when necessary.
Regimental Sergeant Major
He is a Warrant Officer Class One and is the senior warrant
officer in the Battalion. He is responsible for all matters
of discipline, routine and drill. He is also responsible for
the training of NCO’s in their duties and for the
performance of all duties by other ranks. He is also
responsible to the Commanding Officer for the smooth and
efficient running of the Sergeants’ Mess. He is assisted in
his duties by the Drill Sergeants.
Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant
He assists the Quartermaster in his responsibilities and
duties.
Technical Quartermaster Sergeant
He assists the Technical Quartermaster in his
responsibilities and duties.
Drill Sergeants
The Drill Sergeant is a Warrant Officer Class II who ranks
as the senior Company Sergeant Major. There are normally two
Drill sergeants who assist the Regimental Sergeant Major
with drill, discipline, training and administration. He also
oversees the duty rosters of the NCO’s and men. A Drill
Sergeant deputises for the Regimental Sergeant Major in his
absence.
Drum Major
The Drum Major holds a Warrant of Appointment as a Household
Drummer to the Sovereign. He is responsible to the Adjutant
for the discipline, musical training, drill and
administration of the Drummers. He is also responsible for
ensuring that all bugle calls are sounded at the correct
time each day and that a Picquet Drummer (or Parade Side
drummer) is available for Duties Mount as detailed. The Drum
Major’s appointment is rank-ranged from Sergeant to WOII.
Master Tailor
The Master Tailor is responsible for the correct fitting and
repair of all clothing within the Battalion. He accompanies
the Adjutant on all Tailoring Parades and is to be familiar
with the vagaries of all the various orders of dress. He is
also responsible for training the tailors in preparation for
their trade courses. The Master Tailor’s appointment is
rank-ranged from Sergeant to WOII, and by appointment he is
ranked as the Senior Sergeant in the Battalion.
Pioneer Sergeant
The Pioneer Sergeant is responsible for the artisan
tradesman within the Battalion. He is responsible for
maintaining signs, battalion property and for the
maintenance of barracks. He is also responsible for the
trade training of his men. In the field and on operations he
is responsible for the ‘survivability’ of the unit in the
field, i.e. shelter, water and sanitary arrangements. By
appointment he is ranked as the Second Senior Sergeant in
the Battalion.
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DRESS
The Commanding Officer, Second-in-Command and Adjutant are
authorised to wear Frock Coats. They may also wear riding
boots and breeches with Service Dress.
The Quartermaster and Technical Quartermaster wear cocked
hats instead of bearskin caps when wearing Home Service
Clothing.
Members of the Battalion Staff are authorised to wear swords
in the appropriate orders of dress.
The Regimental Sergeant Major wears a gold sword knot. The
remainder wear white leather sword knots.
The Warrant Officers (less the Master Tailor) are authorised
to wear Sam Browne belts.
The Master Tailor wears a crown in a wreath as a badge of
rank when he is a Warrant Officer.
The Regimental Sergeant Major and Drill Sergeants are
authorised to carry pace sticks. The remainder carry staff
canes.
In addition to the Warrant Officers, the Drum Major, Master
Tailor and Pioneer Sergeant are authorised to wear crimson
sashes, staff capstars and belt buckles.
The Drum Major wears State Dress on appropriate occasions.
When ordered, the Pioneer Sergeant will wear a white leather
apron and gauntlets, and carry a ceremonial axe.
When in serving London District, the Master Tailor may wear
a dark suit and either a homburg or trilby hat in place of
uniform
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CUSTOMS
By appointment, the Warrant Officers Class II rank in
seniority as follows;
Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant
Technical Quartermaster Sergeant
Drill Sergeants
Drum Major
By appointment, the Master Tailor ranks as the senior
sergeant in the Battalion. The Pioneer Sergeant ranks as the
second senior.
The Battalion Staff only attend Commanding Officer’s
parades.
Due to their extraordinary duties in connection with the
smooth running of the Battalion, the Battalion Staff will
not normally undertake duties. However, when on operations
or in the field they may be employed as directed by the
Commanding Officer.
The Drum Major, Master Tailor and the Pioneer Sergeant are
addressed as ‘Sir’ by those who are junior to them. They are
addressed by the appointment by those who are senior to them
i.e.
‘Drum Major’
‘Master Tailor’ (or ‘Master’)
‘Pioneer Sergeant’
The Pioneer Sergeant may wear a full set beard and is
encouraged to do so.
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