The following is an extract from DRILL (ALL ARMS) 1951
CHAPTER XVIII
LIGHT INFANTRY DRILL
" The Service of Light Infantry does not so much require men of stature, as it requires them to be Intelligent, Hardy and Active".
(Major-General Sir John Moore—-17 January, 1803.)
Present-day light infantry drill is the descendant of the drill taught to the skirmishers, provided by the Light Infantry, to ensure quick thinking and quick movement.
SECTION: 137.—GENERAL
1. Movements which, in the drill of the Army, start from or end at the position of attention, will in Light Infantry Drill, start from and finish at the position of stand at ease, without further order.
2. Light Infantry standing easy will come to the properly at easeposition on being named " Light Infantry ".
3. Light Infantry standing properly at ease will come to attention when a unit or sub-unit of which they are part is called by name, eg, Battalion, Company, Platoon, Squad.
4. Time of marching
Quick time—140 paces to the minute.
Double time—180 paces to the minute.
For drill, all movements outside the ranks will be done in double-time except that when markers are moving to a flank to conduct the dressing of a unit or sub-unit they will move out and return in quick time.
5. On the move in quick or double time the rifle is carried at the shoulder by the individual when moving outside the ranks, and by troops in formation when marching in file or single file. It is carried at the trail by troops when marching in line or threes. The slope is not used nor are bayonets fixed. Rifle exercises are done at 70 movements to the minute.
6. Except as stated in this chapter, the drill of Light Infantry is as laid down elsewhere in this manual.
SECTION 138 : SQUAD DRILL
1. On all occasions, other than on ceremonial parades, when turning into line at the halt from threes ; file, or single file, and on completion of " open and close order march ", dressing is taken up automatically by all ranks from the directing flank. When individual dressing in the ranks is completed, and when the files or threes are covered off correctly, two distinct movements follow, ie, the squad turn head and eyes to the front (pause) and stand at ease. These two movements are carried out in quick succession from the directing flank, each file or three working together.
Words of Command
2. Words of command are given in quick time as follows :--
" Squad—halt ".—Right foot leaving the ground.
" About—turn ".—Left foot leaving the ground.
" Right—turn ".—Right foot passing left.
" Right in—cline ".—Right foot passing left.
" Right—form ".—Right foot passing left.
" Left—turn ".—Left foot passing right.
" Left in—cline ".—Left foot passing right.
" Left—form ".—Left foot passing right.
" Mark—time ".—Left foot coming to the ground.
" For—ward " (when marking time).—Left foot being raised.
" Squad—halt " (When marking time).—Right foot coming to the ground.
" Saluting to a flank ".—Right foot leaving the ground.
FROM QUICK TO DOUBLE TIME
" Break into double time—double march ".—Left foot coming to the ground.
FROM DOUBLE TO QUICK TIME
" Break into quick time—quick march ".—Left foot coming to the ground.
Dismissing
3. On the command " Dismiss " or on the last bugle note of the " Disperse " troops will come to attention, turn to the right, shoulder arms, salute if required, cut their hand away and after a pause march off the parade ground in quick time at the shoulder.
SECTION 139: RIFLE DRILL
The rifle will be carried at the shoulder on the following occasions :—
(a) When marching in file or single file.
(b) By markers when they are being put out.
(c) By instructors when drilling a squad.
(d) When being “sized " after turning to the right, on the command" In three ranks—size"
(e) By NCOs when dressing a squad.
(f) When inspecting a squad.
(g) When being dismissed, after turning to the right.
(h) By individuals moving outside the ranks.
(j) By individual other ranks marching about camp or barracks.
(k) When troops are ordered on parade.
Amdt 1/Dec1952
2. When doubling with arms the rifle will always be carried at the trail by both individuals and formed bodies.
SECTION 140: SALUTING WITH THE RIFLE
At the halt
1. Light infantrymen will come to attention, shoulder arms and tap the sling with the left hand, left elbow close to the body, forearm horizontal, hand straight, fingers extended, thumb close to the fore fingers, back of the hand to the front.
On the move
2. When a light infantryman, carrying a rifle, passes an officer he will do so at the shoulder and will salute as laid down above, at the same time turning his head and eyes smartly in the direction of the officer, looking him straight in the face.
Salute to the front or delivering a message
3. When a light infantryman, carrying a rifle, delivers a written message to or addresses an officer, he will do so at the shoulder unless the officer is on the move; the soldier will halt two paces from the officer, salute as laid down in para 1 above and deliver the message. If no reply is needed, or when the reply is received, he will salute as before, turn about and march off in quick time.
The present from stand at ease and stand at ease from the present
4. " Present arms—one ".—Light infantrymen come to attention.
5. " Light Infantry—two ".—Jerk the rifle up the right side as for the first motion of slope arms.
6. " Light Infantry—three ".—With the right hand force the rifle to the centre of the body, sling to the left, in the position detailed for the second motion of the present from the slope (Sec 55). At the same time strike the rifle with the left hand in the position previously detailed in Sec 55, para 2.
7. " Light Infantry—four ".—As detailed in Sec 55, para 3.
8. " Stand at ease—one ".—Force the rifle to the right side with the left hand, at the same time grasping it with the right hand in the place it is held at the order and forcing it to the position previously detailed for the second motion of the order from the slope (Sec 53) with the left hand just below the nosecap, at the same time bend the right knee to close the heels.
9. " Light Infantry—two ".—Lower the butt to the ground and cut the left hand to the side.
10. " Light Infantry—three ".—Stand at ease.
Delete paras 7 to 10 and substitute:--
Amdt l/Dec/1952
7." Light Infantry—four ".—As in the third movement of the " Present from the slope " except that the left hand does not lose contact with the rifle.
8." Stand at ease—one ".—Bring the right hand smartly up to seize the rifle immediately above the band, the back of the hand towards the body with the right forearm running down the rifle, at the same time bringing the right foot up to the left.
9." Light Infantry—two ".—Transfer the rifle to the right side with the butt just clear of the ground, the left hand grasping the nosecap, the left forearm held close into the body.
10." Light Infantry—three ".—Cut the left arm to the side and lower the butt to the ground.
11."Light Infantry—Four ".—Stand at ease.
SECTION 141 : SENTRIES
The drill is as given in Chapter XIII and XIV except the sentries will patrol at the shoulder and salute as laid down for light infantrymen above.
