Battalion

A battalion is the fourth most basic and smallest military formation that exists within the British Expeditionary Force. It also represents the first military formation that is commanded by a senior office which is the rank of Lieutenant Colonel or Colonel acting as the Company Commander and assisted by a Major acting as the Company Second In Command (SiC)

Components
The battalion is made up of 2 companies commanded by a Captain and roughly constitute 78-80 men (including the Commanding Officer). A battalion is commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel or a Colonel acting as the Company Commander and a Major acting as the Company Second In Command. Below are the components of a battalion

-1 Lieutenant Colonel/Colonel (Acting as Battalion Commander)

-1 Major (Acting as Battalion Second In Command)

-2 Captains

-2 Lieutenants

-4 Second Lieutenants

-1 Sergeant Major (Acting as Battalion Sergeant Major)

-4 Sergeants

-8 Lance Corporals

-8 Corporals

-48 Private

Role of the Battalion Sergeant Major
The Battalion Sergeant Major represents the most senior NCO present in the battalion. He has several roles which are the firstly, the traning of NCOs such as individuals under the rank of Corporal or Sergeant within the battalion. He is responsible for keeping and updating any rosters of his battalion with the help of the Sergeants and is also responsible for accepting and leave on training and on the parade ground. Finally, the Sergeant Major should represent the role model of his entire battalion and of the BEF as a whole. Should his battalion perform well, the Sergeant Major would probably be the first NCO to receive a commission to a junior officer.

Differences with real British Battalions of the era
In the British battalions of the era, 4 instead of 2 companies would be grouped together to form a proper battalion. This amounted to around a 980-1000 men in one battalion instead of the 78-80 men displayed in our battalion.