REGIMENTAL DRILL 1935

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The following is an extract from
THE MANUAL OF ELEMENTARY DRILL
(ALL ARMS) 1935

(Note: I have left in all references to "Rifle regiments Drill" as this was still carried out by the Buckinghamshire Battalion who continued to uphold their "Rifles" traditions.)

CHAPTER VII

DRILL FOR RIFLE AND ENGLISH LIGHT INFANTRY REGIMENTS

84. Squad drill—without arms

The drill is as laid down in Chapters I, II and III with the following exceptions :--

1.      Words of command.—The word "attention" is not used. Units come to attention on being named, i.e. squad, section, party, guard, etc., are the executive words of command; cautionary words vary in different regiments.

2.      Time in marching.—The regimental rate of marching (normally 140 paces a minute) is used for parade purposes and for ceremonial unless otherwise specified (see Manual of Ceremonial, 1935, Sec. 11, 8).

3.      Timing of words of command.--When marching at 140 paces a minute, the timing of executive words of command will be as laid down in the following table :--

Word of Command

(a)

Halt

About Turn

Right Turn

Right In—cline

Right Form

Left Turn

Left In—cline

Left Form

For—ward (when marking time)

Form Fours (from rank in front)

Form Two-Deep (front rank in front)

Form Fours (rear rank in front)

Form Two—Deep (rear rank-in front)

Form Fours (from file when on the move ; right of squad leading)

Form   Two—Deep   (right   of   squad leading)

Form Fours (when on the move; left of squad leading)

Form   Two—Deep (left   of   squad leading)

Form Squad (right leading) ..

Form Squad (left leading)

Quick Time

(b)

Right foot coming to the ground.

Left foot coming to the ground.

Right foot coming to the ground.

Right foot coming to the ground.

Right foot coming to the ground.

Left foot coming to the ground.

Left foot coming to the ground.

Left foot coming to the ground.

Left foot coming to the ground

Left foot on the ground.

Left foot on the ground.

Right foot on the ground.

Right foot on the ground.

Right foot on the ground.

Right foot on the ground.

Left foot on the ground.

Left foot on the ground.

Right foot coming to the ground.

Left foot coming to the ground.

From Quick to double time

Break into double time. Double March

From Double to Quick time

Break into quick time. Quick March

Mark Time

Halt (when marking time)

Left foot coming to the ground.

Left foot coming to the ground.

Left foot coming to the ground.

Right foot coming to the ground.

85. Drill with arms—Rifle regiments only

1. On the move, rifles are carried at the trail, except when in file or single file (see para. 5, below) or by riflemen moving independently, when they are carried at the shoulder (see para. 4, i, below). Certain modifications to the drill as laid down in Chapter IV are therefore necessary to conform to the movements of the rifle.

2. The word "sword" is used instead of "bayonet." Swords are not fixed for drill purposes, unless in special circumstances it may be necessary for reasons of security to mount guard with swords fixed.

3. Rifle regiments do not use the "slope arms" position, unless it is necessary to carry swords fixed (see para. 2, above), and the various movements to and from that position laid down in Chapter IV do not therefore apply (e.g. Seec. 46 to 49; 57 to 59 and 63).

4. The following additional movements are used :--

i. The shoulder from the order.

Rifle regiments march at the shoulder when moving in file, the men shouldering their arms on the command Quick— March, or, if already on the move, on the command which brings them into file.

Shoulder Arms—One.

Throw the rifle upwards with the right hand, catching it with the left hand in line with the elbow; at the same time slipping the second finger of the right hand inside the guard, close the first and second fingers on the magazine, thumb and remaining fingers pointing downwards ; the upper part of the. barrel to rest in the hollow of the shoulder.

Two.

Cut the left hand to the side.

ii. The order from the shoulder.

Order Arms—One.

Relax the grasp of the right hand and allow the rifle to drop till the butt is within two inches of the ground. At the same time seize the rifle with the left hand at the nose cap, and with the right at the band.

Two.

Place the butt quietly on the ground as at the order, cutting the left hand to the side.

iii. The shoulder from the trail.

Shoulder Arms—One.

Bring the rifle to a perpendicular position, and hold it with the left hand in line with the elbow, then seize it with the right hand as at the shoulder.

Two.

Cut away the left hand to the side.

iv. The trail from the shoulder.

Trail Arms—One.

Seize the rifle with the left hand in line with the elbow and at the same time with the right hand at the point of balance.

Two.

Bring the rifle down to the trail, at the same time cutting the left hand to the side.

v. The present from the order.

Present Arms—One.

Throw the rifle upwards with the right hand, catching it with the left hand at the point of balance ; thumb of the left hand in the hollow of the right shoulder, and the right hand at the small of the butt, thumb to the left, elbow to the rear.

Two.

Bring the rifle to a perpendicular position in front of the centre of the body, turning the guard to the left; at the same time place the left hand smartly on the stock, wrist on the magazine, fingers pointing upwards thumb close to the forefinger, point of the thumb in line with the mouth : left elbow close to the butt, right elbow and butt close to the body.

Three.

As in the third motion of the present from the slope,

vi. The order from the present.

Order Arms—One.

Carry the rifle to the right side and seize it with the right hand at the band, and with the left hand round the nose-cap, butt just clear of the ground ; at the same time bring the right foot smartly up to the left.

Two.

Place the butt quietly on the ground as at the order, cutting the left hand away to the side.

vii. The support from the shoulder, and vice versa.

To support arms from the shoulder, cany the rifle horizontally across the body, magazine to the front, rifle on the right forearm, right hand holding the rifle as at the shoulder.

The shoulder from the support is the converse of the above.

note.—The support is used by sentries when moving on their beat.

5. The following table shows the movements of the rifle from the trail when moving into file, forming fours, etc. :--

Serial
(a)

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Drill Movement
(b)

From Line, turning into File.

From file, turning Into line.

Turning about.

Forming fours from line, on the move.

Forming fours from file, on the move.

Forming two-deep from fours, on the move.

Forming squad from fours.

Turning Into line from fours.

Movement of Rifle
(c)

From Trail to Shoulder
(In Turning into File after two inclines, the rifle will remain at the trail for the First Incline and will be brought to the shoulder on the second incline.)

From Shoulder to Trail
(In turning into line after two inclines, the rifle will remain at the shoulder for the first incline and be brought to the Trail on the second incline.)

Rifle brought to a perpendicular position in front of the right shoulder (as with the cane) and back to the trail.

As in Serial 3.

From Shoulder to Trail

From trail to Shoulder.

As in Serial 3.

As in Serial 9.

When Executed
(d)

As the right (or left) foot takes the first pace in the new direction, the left hand being cut away to the side on the next pace of the right (or left) foot.

Left hand seizes the rifle in line with the elbow as the right (or left) foot takes the first pace in the new direction : on the second pace with the right (or left) foot the rifle is brought to the trail.

See Sec. 28, 5.

After completion of pace with the right (or left) foot. The rifle remains in this position until the command " right " or " left is given.

Complete the pace with the right (or left) foot, then bring the rifle to the trail in two movements, each being done as the right (or left) foot comes to the ground.

As in Serial 5, but for trail read shoulder.

Complete the pace with the right (or left) foot, then bring rifle to perpendicular position, returning to the trail on the first pace of the move up into the new alignment.

Complete the pace with the right (or left) foot, then bring the rifle, to perpendicular position, returning to the trail as the squad moves forward in the new direction.

6. Instructions for saluting when carrying a rifle.

i. At the halt.

A rifleman if at the shoulder will salute by tapping the sling smartly with the left hand, forearm horizontal, the back of the hand to the front, and the fingers straight.

The salute will commence three paces before the officer passes the soldier and the hand will be cut away on the third pace after he has passed him.

ii. On the move.

A rifleman when passing an officer will do so at the shoulder and will salute as laid down in sub-para, i, above; at the same time turning the head towards the officer saluted and looking him full in the face. He will salute on the third pace before reaching him and cut the hand away and turn the head to the front on the third pace after passing him.

iii. Delivering messages to or addressing officers.

When a rifleman 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 the above sub-para., 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.

86. Drill with arms—English light infantry regiments only

1. Except for ceremonial purposes, English light infantry regiments carry rifles at the trail or shoulder (Sec. 85, 4, i to iv) as laid down in Sec. 85, 1, and do not fix bayonets for drill purposes.

2. For ceremonial purposes (including guard mounting) drill with arms is as laid down in Chapter IV.

3.Instructions for saluting with the rifle, are as laid down in Sec. 85, 6.