Stretcher Bearers and Signallers: Assignments to Companies Within Inf Bn

On paper, infantry battalion stretcher bearers and signallers were assigned to battalion HQ (later HQ Company). In action they worked with the individual companies. Does anyone know if there was any kind of standard company allotment of Sigs and SB, so many of each per company? Also, once the No. 38 platoon set was introduced, who handled those? Did each platoon get a signaller for it, or was it given to an orderly or batman or something? Thanks.

 

I've put all my findings about signallers and allocations of No.18 and No.38 sets up on the website (should be in the signature line below). The No.38 set had to be handled by Company/Platoon personnel, and in theory went to the batman in Rifle Pl HQs. No.18 sets were manned by Signal Platoon personnel, roughly speaking one per Carrier mounted set and two per ground set. Stretcher-bearers are not something I've seen an allocation for in British info; the Canadian Inf Bn WE of Aug44 showed three per Rifle Coy with the balance Bn HQ with the MO.

Gary

 

Thanks, Gary. I love your website too, it has been very helpful with questions like these.

 

Just to illustrate:
Photo of 6th Gordons on exercise in Palestine 1945.
1st Infantry Division withdrew to Palestine to replace casualties and train them up to battle standard.
The war ended before they were due to return to Italy.
Stretcher Bearers in foreground.
Courtesy Mennell Family Collection.

 

Gary is right. Generally, the principle was that internal signals were the unit responsibility, external Signallers. However.... increasing all-arms cooperation meant the 'internal' net might include supporting elements.

 

Stretcher bearers were allocated from the MO, FAP as required. A full Infantry Bn. was for two or three per Company HQ however the proportion might change according to an operational plan (I can imagine the effect - "We don't often see six of you guys up with our Company before an advance....ohhh...").