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LIGHTBOBS
LIGHT INFANTRY DRILL - REGIMENTAL CHRONICLE 1932

In order to place on record the circumstances under which we have recently been permitted by the Army Council to realize a long cherished hope, it may be of interest to give in some detail the steps which were taken to obtain permission to march past in column at the trail.

For some years Light Infantry, admittedly " Light " only in name, but still strongly imbued with Light Infantry traditions, had felt it to be a slur on their escutcheon that on the very occasions, when they wished to produce their best efforts, they should be compelled to march at the slope with a fixed bayonet, a procedure totally foreign to their normal methods and diametrically opposed to all Light Infantry teaching.

In 1931 the Colonels and Commanding Officers of all English Light Infantry Regiments were approached on the subject, with the intention not only of recording their views, but also of securing a united front should any further action be considered advisable. The results were surprisingly encouraging, every regiment promised its staunchest co-operation, and the Colonel of the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, as Colonel of the Senior Light Infantry Regiment, was asked to approach the Army Council on behalf of all English Light Infantry.

It may appear at first sight that his task was an easy one. But this was by no means the case. In the first place it was essential that " Rifle " traditions and prejudices should be kept inviolate. In addition, it was necessary to persuade that portion of the General Staff which would deal with the case, that we were not endeavouring to secure preferential treatment for ourselves at the expense of other infantry, but that in fact we were only asking for our just due in being permitted to return to our normal system of training. As it may well be imagined our object could not be attained entirely by official letter writing, and much seed had to be sown in club smoking rooms and other places before it was decided that the time had arrived to launch the offensive.

The Colonel of the Regiment was approached once more, and it may be of interest to give the text of the letter which he wrote to the Army Council, and which .reads as follows :

                                                                                           St. James Palace,

                                                                                           London, S.W.1.

November 20, 1931.

Sir,

As Colonel of the Senior Light Infantry Regi­ment, I desire to acknowledge with gratitude the restoration to Light Infantry, by the Army Council, of some of their most cherished customs, but I have the honour to bring to your notice one par­ticular and much cherished distinction which has been omitted, viz., that on ceremonial parades we should be allowed to revert to the original custom of marching past at the trail, instead of, as in recent years, at the shoulder, and in still more modern times at the slope.

It has always been a matter for regret (if I may be allowed to use such a term) that Light Infantry Regiments, who throughout their training drill at the trail, should be compelled to revert to the slope on the very occasion when regimental traditions count for so much, and should predominate.

These small points of difference are the relics of bygone years, but all distinctions between Regi­ments, or classes of Regiments, are as the Council is aware, very much prized by their possessors, and undoubtedly it contributes largely to that intangible asset known as esprit de corps which plays so large a part in the good repute of a Regiment in peace and its valour in war.

We, as Light Infantry, do not propose to bring to the notice of the Council arguments in support of our contention. For, though there are argu­ments which can easily be produced, we confess that we base our petition more on sentiment than on anything else, and in this we feel justified because sentiment plays so large a part in a voluntary army, perhaps more so to-day than any other time, when essential economies are calling for considerable sacrifices from all ranks.

The change we ask for is a small one.

It is merely a simple amendment to Infantry Training, Volume 1, viz., that the words " when returning in close column " should be deleted from the last sentence (added by an amendment notified in Army Orders for February 1929) of the footnote on page 224.

Should the Army Council be disposed to grant this concession the main essence of Light Infantry drill will have been granted, and its drill restored to its pristine form of Peninsula days.

I am to add that all Colonels of English Light Infantry, having ascertained from Lieut.-Colonels Commanding their Battalions that this concession is eagerly awaited and would be enormously appreciated, have requested me to bring this matter forward, and ask the Council to grant their unani­mous request.

I have the honour to be,

                               Sir,

                               Your obedient servant,

                               (Signed) J. Hanbury-Williams, Major-General

                                Colonel The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry,



The Under-Secretary of State for War,

The War Office, London,

S.W.1.

The rest of the story is soon told. The project was received, as it was only to be expected, not entirely without opposition. But in the end the battle was won, and early in 1932 the Army Council approved, let us hope for all time, the amendment to Infantry Training, which restores to us one, perhaps the most important, of our old privileges.

The epilogue is interesting. The Colonel of the Regiment inspected the Depot in October 1932, and it was peculiarly fitting, in view of his labours in the cause of all English Light Infantry, that he should be the first General Officer under the new order to take the salute of the " home " of the Regiment, marching past him in column at the trail.


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      • 1917-18 1/1ST BUCKS ITALY
    • 2ND BUCKS 1914-1918 >
      • 1914-1916 2ND BUCKS FORMATION & TRAINING
      • 1916 2/1st BUCKS ARRIVAL IN FRANCE
      • 1916 2/1st BUCKS FROMELLES
      • 1916 2/1st BUCKS REORGANISATION
      • 1916-1917 2/1st BUCKS THE SOMME
      • 1917 2/1st BUCKS THE GERMAN RETIREMENT
      • 1917 2/1st BUCKS ST QUENTIN APRIL TO AUGUST 1917
      • 1917 2/1st BUCKS 3RD YPRES
      • 1917 2/1st BUCKS ARRAS & CAMBRAI
      • 1918 2/1st BUCKS ST QUENTIN TO DISBANDMENT
    • 1ST BUCKS 1939-1945 >
      • 1939-1940 1BUCKS MOBILISATION & NEWBURY
      • 1940 1BUCKS FRANCE & BELGIUM
      • 1940 1BUCKS HAZEBROUCK
      • HAZEBROUCK BATTLEFIELD VISIT
      • 1940-1942 1BUCKS
      • 1943-1944 1BUCKS PREPARING FOR D DAY
      • COMPOSITION & ROLE OF BEACH GROUP
      • BROAD OUTLINE OF OPERATION OVERLORD
      • 1944 1ST BUCKS NORMANDY D DAY
      • 1944 1BUCKS 1944 NORMANDY TO BRUSSELS (LOC)
      • Sword Beach Gallery
      • 1945 1BUCKS 1945 FEBRUARY-JUNE T FORCE 1st (CDN) ARMY
      • 1945 1BUCKS 1945 FEBRUARY-JUNE T FORCE 2ND BRITISH ARMY
      • 1945 1BUCKS JUNE 1945 TO AUGUST 1946
    • BUCKS BATTALION BADGES
    • BUCKS BATTALION SHOULDER TITLES 1908-1946
    • 1939-1945 BUCKS BATTALION DRESS >
      • UNIFORM
      • HEADDRESS
      • INSIGNIA & DRESS DISTINCTIONS
      • STEEL HELMETS
  • ROYAL BUCKS KINGS OWN MILITIA
  • BUCKINGHAMSHIRE'S LINE REGIMENTS
    • REGIMENTS CONNECTED TO BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
    • 14TH (BUCKINGHAMSHIRE) REGIMENT
    • 85TH (BUCKS VOLUNTEERS) KINGS LIGHT INFANTRY
  • ROYAL GREEN JACKETS
    • BATTLE HONOURS
    • ROYAL GREEN JACKETS A BRIEF HISTORY
    • RGJ BADGES
    • RGJ BADGES 2
    • RGJ BADGES OF RANK
    • RGJ TRADE BADGES
    • RGJ BAND BADGES
  • OXFORDSHIRE & BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY 1741-1965
    • OXF & BUCKS LI INSIGNIA >
      • OXF & BUCKS LI BADGES
      • HEAD DRESS BADGES 1882-1965
      • SHOULDER TITLES 1885-1965
      • REGIMENTAL BUTTONS 1881-1965
    • REGIMENTAL CUSTOMS & TRADITIONS >
      • REGIMENTAL CUSTOMS 1914
      • REGIMENTAL CUSTOMS & DRESS 1939
      • REGIMENTAL CUSTOMS 1941
      • REGIMENTAL CUSTOMS 1951
    • REGIMENTAL DRILL >
      • REGIMENTAL DRILL 1931
      • REGIMENTAL DRILL 1932
      • REGIMENTAL DRILL 1935
      • REGIMENTAL DRILL 1937
      • REGIMENTAL DRILL 1944
      • LIGHT INFANTRY DRILL 1951
    • REGIMENTAL DRESS >
      • REGIMENTAL UNIFORM 1741-1896
      • REGIMENTAL UNIFORM 1741-1914
      • 1894 REGIMENTAL DRESS
      • 1897 OFFICERS DRESS REGULATIONS
      • 1900 DRESS REGULATIONS
      • 1931 REGIMENTAL DRESS
      • 1939-1945 REGIMENTAL DRESS
      • 1950 OFFICERS DRESS REGULATIONS
      • 1960 OFFICERS DRESS REGULATIONS (TA)
      • 1960 REGIMENTAL MESS DRESS
      • 1963 REGIMENTAL DRESS
      • 1958-1969 REGIMENTAL DRESS
    • HEADDRESS >
      • HEADDRESS 1741-1894
    • REGIMENTAL CREST
    • BATTLE HONOURS
    • REGIMENTAL COLOURS >
      • 1895 REGIMENTAL COLOURS 1741-1895
      • 1961 REGIMENTAL COLOURS 1741-1961
    • BRIEF HISTORY
    • REGIMENTAL CHAPEL, OXFORD >
      • 1931 REGIMENTAL CHAPEL
      • 1931 REGIMENTAL CHAPEL DESCRIPTION
      • 1931 REGIMENTAL CHAPEL DEDICATION SERVICE
      • 1950 1939-45 ROLL OF HONOUR
      • 1950 1939-45 ROH DEDICATION SERVICE
    • THE GREAT WAR 1914-1918 >
      • REGIMENTAL BATTLE HONOURS 1914-1919
      • OXF & BUCKS LI 1914-1919 SUMMARY INTRODUCTION
      • 1 OXF & BUCKS LI 1914-1919 SUMMARY
      • 2 OXF & BUCKS LI 1914-1919 SUMMARY
      • 1/4 OXF & BUCKS LI 1914-1918 SUMMARY
      • 2/4 OXF & BUCKS LI 1914-1918 SUMMARY
      • 1/1 BUCKS BATTALION 1914-1918 SUMMARY
      • 2/1 BUCKS BATTALION 1914-1918 SUMMARY
      • 5 (SERVICE) OXF & BUCKS LI 1914-1918 SUMMARY
      • 6 (SERVICE) OXF & BUCKS LI 1914-1918 SUMMARY
      • 7 (SERVICE) OXF & BUCKS LI 1914-1918 SUMMARY
      • 8 (SERVICE) OXF & BUCKS LI 1914-1918 SUMMARY
  • 1st GREEN JACKETS (43rd & 52nd) 1958-1965
    • 1ST GREEN JACKETS (43RD & 52ND) 1958-1965
    • 1959 1ST GREEN JACKETS (43RD & 52ND)
    • 1959 REGIMENTAL MARCH IN OXFORD
    • 1959 DEMONSTRATION BATTALION
    • 1960 1ST GREEN JACKETS (43RD & 52ND)
    • 1961 1ST GREEN JACKETS (43RD & 52ND)
    • 1961 THE LONGEST DAY
    • 1962 1ST GREEN JACKETS (43RD & 52ND)
    • 1963 1ST GREEN JACKETS (43RD & 52ND)
    • 1963 CONVERSION TO “RIFLE” REGIMENT
    • 1964 1ST GREEN JACKETS (43RD & 52ND)
    • 1965 1ST GREEN JACKETS (43RD & 52ND)
    • 1965 FORMATION OF ROYAL GREEN JACKETS
  • REGULAR BATTALIONS 1741-1958
    • 1st BATTALION (43rd LIGHT INFANTRY) >
      • 43rd LIGHT INFANTRY 1741-1914 >
        • 43rd REGIMENT 1741-1802
        • 43rd LIGHT INFANTRY 1803-1805
        • 43rd LIGHT INFANTRY 1806-1809
        • 43rd LIGHT INFANTRY 1809-1810
        • 43rd LIGHT INFANTRY 1810-1812
        • 43rd LIGHT INFANTRY 1812-1814
        • 43rd LIGHT INFANTRY 1814-1818
        • 43rd LIGHT INFANTRY 1818-1854
        • 43rd LIGHT INFANTRY 1854-1863
        • 43rd LIGHT INFANTRY 1863-1865
        • 43rd LIGHT INFANTRY 1865-1897
        • 43rd LIGHT INFANTRY 1899-1902
        • 43rd LIGHT INFANTRY 1902-1914
      • 1 OXF & BUCKS LI 1914-1919 >
        • 1914 >
          • 1914 AUGUST - DECEMBER
        • 1915 >
          • 1915 OVERVIEW
          • 1915 JANUARY - FEBRUARY
          • 1915 MARCH - MAY
          • 1915 JUNE - JULY
          • 1915 AUGUST - SEPTEMBER
          • 1915 SEPTEMBER BATTLE OF ES SINN
          • 1915 OCTOBER - NOVEMBER
          • 1915 BATTLE OF CTESIPHON.
          • 1915 THE WITHDRAWAL FROM CTESIPHON.
          • 1915-1916 THE SIEGE OF KUT-AL-AMARA >
            • 1915 DECEMBER SIEGE AT KUT-EL-AMARA
        • 1916 >
          • 1916 SIEGE OF KUT-AL-AMARA
          • 1916 SIEGE OF KUT-AL-AMARA CO's ACCOUNT
          • 1916 ATTEMPT TO RELIEVE KUT
          • 1916 JULY - DECEMBER 43RD REFORMED
        • 1917
        • 1918
        • 1919
      • 1 OXF & BUCKS LI 1939-1945 >
        • 1939 SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER
        • 1940 JANUARY - MAY 9TH
        • 1940 MAY 10TH - 26TH
        • 1940 MAY 27th - 31st
        • 1940 JUNE - DECEMBER
        • 1941 JANUARY - DECEMBER
        • 1942 JANUARY - DECEMBER
        • 1943 JANUARY - 1944 MAY
        • 1944 JUNE - AUGUST
        • 1944 SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER
        • 1944 OCTOBER BATTLE OF S'HERTOGENBOSCH
        • 1945 JANUARY - JUNE
      • 1 OXF & BUCKS 1946-1958 >
        • 1 OXF & BUCKS LI - 1946
        • 1 OXF & BUCKS LI - 1947
        • 1 OXF & BUCKS LI - 1948
        • 1948 FREEDOM PARADES
        • 1 OXF & BUCKS LI - 1949
        • 1 OXF & BUCKS LI - 1950
        • 1 OXF & BUCKS LI - 1951
        • 1 OXF & BUCKS LI - 1952
        • 1 OXF & BUCKS LI - 1953
        • 1 OXF & BUCKS LI - 1954
        • 1 OXF & BUCKS LI - 1955
        • 1 OXF & BUCKS LI - 1956
        • 1 OXF & BUCKS LI - 1957
        • 1 OXF & BUCKS LI - 1958
    • 2nd BATTALION (52nd LIGHT INFANTRY) >
      • 52nd LIGHT INFANTRY 1755-1881 >
        • 1755-1802 52nd FOOT
        • 1803-1805 52nd LIGHT INFANTRY
        • 1806-1809 52nd LIGHT INFANTRY
        • 1809-1810 52nd LIGHT INFANTRY
        • 1810-1812 52nd LIGHT INFANTRY
        • 1812-1814 52nd LIGHT INFANTRY
        • 1814-1818 52nd LIGHT INFANTRY
        • 1818-1854 52nd LIGHT INFANTRY
        • 1854-1863 52nd LIGHT INFANTRY
        • 1865-1881 52nd LIGHT INFANTRY
      • 2 OXF LI 1881-1907
      • 2 OXF & BUCKS LI 1908-1914
      • 2 OXF & BUCKS LI 1914-1919 >
        • 1914-1919 OVERVIEW
        • 1914 >
          • 1914 MOBILISATION
          • 1914 THE RETREAT FROM MONS
          • 1914 BATTLE OF THE MARNE
          • 1914 THE BATTLE OF THE AISNE
          • 1914 TO FLANDERS
          • 1914 THE BATTLE OF LANGEMARCK
          • 1914 WOOD FIGHTING 24/10 - 10/11
          • 1914 NONNE BOSSCHEN
          • 1914 WOOD FIGHTING 12-16 NOVEMBER
          • 1914 THE CLOSE OF 1914
        • 1915 >
          • 1915 BETHUNE SECTOR JAN-MAY
          • 1915 BATTLE OF FESTUBURT
          • 1915 FURTHER TRENCH WARFARE
          • 1915 BETHUNE AUGUST-SEPTEMBER
          • 1915 THE BATTLE OF LOOS
          • 1915 BETHUNE NOVEMBER-DECEMBER
        • 1916 >
          • 1916 BETHUNE SECTOR JANUARY-JUNE
          • 1916 VIMY SECTOR JUNE - JULY
          • 1916 SOMME - GUILLEMONT
          • 1916 SOMME SECTOR AUGUST-SEPTEMBER
          • 1916 SOMME SECTOR OCTOBER 1916
          • 1916 SOMME - BATTLE OF THE ANCRE
          • 1916 SOMME SECTOR NOVEMBER-DECEMBER
        • 1917 >
          • 1917 JANUARY-APRIL
          • 1917 ARRAS APRIL-JUNE
          • 1917 JULY-NOVEMBER
          • 1917 CAMBRAI NOVEMBER-DECEMBER
          • 1917 CAMBRAI NOVEMBER 30TH - DECEMBER 6TH
        • 1918 >
          • 1918 JANUARY - MARCH
          • 1918 GERMAN SPRING OFFENSIVE
          • 1918 APRIL - AUGUST
          • 1918 AUGUST THE ADVANCE TO VICTORY
          • 1918 SEPTEMBER
          • 1918 OCTOBER
          • 1918 NOVEMBER - DECEMBER
      • 2 OXF & BUCKS LI 1939-1945 >
        • 1939-1941
        • 1941-1943 AIRBORNE INFANTRY
        • 1944 PREPARATION FOR D DAY
        • 1944 PEGASUS BRIDGE-COUP DE MAIN
        • Pegasus Bridge Gallery
        • Horsa Bridge Gallery
        • COUP DE MAIN NOMINAL ROLL
        • MAJOR HOWARDS ORDERS
        • 1944 JUNE 6
        • D DAY ORDERS
        • 1944 JUNE 7-13 ESCOVILLE & HEROUVILETTE
        • Escoville & Herouvillette Gallery
        • 1944 JUNE 13-AUGUST 16 HOLDING THE BRIDGEHEAD
        • 1944 AUGUST 17-31 "PADDLE" TO THE SEINE
        • "Paddle To The Seine" Gallery
        • 1944 SEPTEMBER ARNHEM
        • OPERATION PEGASUS 1
        • 1944/45 ARDENNES
        • 1945 RHINE CROSSING
        • OPERATION VARSITY - ORDERS
        • OPERATION VARSITY BATTLEFIELD VISIT
        • 1945 MARCH-JUNE
        • 2 OXF & BUCKS LI DRESS 1940-1945 >
          • UNIFORM
          • HEADDRESS
          • CLOTH INSIGNIA
          • STEEL HELMETS
      • 2 OXF & BUCKS LI 1946-1947 >
        • 2 OXF & BUCKS LI - 1946
        • 2 OXF & BUCKS LI - 1947
  • MILITIA BATTALIONS
    • MILITIA BATTALIONS INTRODUCTION
    • 3rd MILITIA BATTALION (ROYAL BUCKS KINGS OWN MILITIA)
    • 4th MILITIA BATTALION (OXFORDSHIRE MILITIA)
    • 3 (SPECIAL RESERVE) BN OXF & BUCKS LI 1914-1919
  • TERRITORIAL BATTALIONS
    • 4th (TERRITORIAL) BATTALION
    • 1/4th & 2/4th (TF) OXF & BUCKS LI 1914-1918 >
      • 1/4th (TF) Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1914-1919 >
        • 1/4th (TF) Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1914-1915
        • 1/4th (TF) Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1915-1916
        • 1/4th (TF) Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1916-1917
        • 1/4th (TF) Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1917-1918
      • 2/4th (TF) Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1914-1918 >
        • 2/4 (TF) Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1914-1915
        • 2/4 (TF) Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1915-1916
        • 2/4 (TF) Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1916-1917
        • 2/4 (TF) Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1917-1918
    • 4th & 5th (TA) OXF & BUCKS LI 1939-1945 >
      • 4th Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1939-1944 >
        • 4th Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1939-1940
        • 4th Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1940-1942
        • 4th Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1942-1944
      • 5th Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1939-1945 >
        • 5th Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1939-1940
        • 5th Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1940-1942
        • 5th Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1942-1944
  • WAR RAISED/SERVICE BATTALIONS 1914-18 & 1939-45
    • 5th, 6th, 7th & 8th (SERVICE) 1914-1918 >
      • 5 (SERVICE) Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1914-1918 >
        • 5 OXF & BUCKS LI 1914-1915
        • 5 OXF & BUCKS LI 1915-1916
        • 5 OXF & BUCKS LI 1916-1917
        • 5 OXF & BUCKS LI 1917-1918
      • 6 (SERVICE) Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1914-1918 >
        • 6 (SERVICE) Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1914-1915
        • 6 (SERVICE) Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1915-1916
        • 6 (SERVICE) Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1916-1917
        • 6 (SERVICE) Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1917-1918
      • 7 (SERVICE)Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1914-1918 >
        • 7 (SERVICE) Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1914-1915
        • 7 (SERVICE) Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1915-1916
        • 7 (SERVICE) Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1916-1917
        • 7 (SERVICE) Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1917-1918
        • 7 (SERVICE) Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1918-1919
      • 8 (SERVICE) Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1914-1918 >
        • 8 (SERVICE) Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1914-1915
        • 8 (SERVICE) Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1915-1916
        • 8 (SERVICE) Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1916-1917
        • 8 (SERVICE) Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1917-1918
        • 8 (SERVICE) Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1918-1919
    • 6th & 7th Bns OXF & BUCKS LI 1939-1945 >
      • 6th Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1940-1945 >
        • 6th Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1940-1942
        • 6th Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1942-1944
        • 6th Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1944
        • 6th Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1945
      • 7th Bn OXF & BUCKS LI 1940-1945 >
        • 7th Bn OXF & BUCKS LI JUNE 1940-JULY 1942
        • 7th Bn OXF & BUCKS LI JULY 1942 – JUNE 1943
        • 7th Bn OXF & BUCKS LI JULY 1943–OCTOBER 1943
        • 7th Bn OXF & BUCKS LI OCTOBER 1943–DECEMBER 1943
        • 7th Bn OXF & BUCKS LI DECEMBER 1943-JUNE 1944
        • 7th Bn OXF & BUCKS LI JANUARY 1944-JUNE 1944
        • 7th Bn OXF & BUCKS LI JUNE 1944–JANUARY 1945
  • "IN MY OWN WORDS"
    • THE SOMME REVISITED
    • REMEMBERING FROMELLES 1916-2011
    • MEN OF STEEL - HAZEBROUCK REMEMBERED
    • THE TALE OF A FEW BRIDGES - 2 OXF & BUCKS LI 1944-45
  • CREDITS