Field State of the 8th Battalion

Tuesday 1st February 1916: We have received from the adjutant the field state of the 8th Battalion as of yesterday. This gives an interesting insight into the strength of an infantry battalion at any one time, bearing in mind the theoretical strength of an infantry battalion is just over 1,000 men. The figures are as follows:

Total Casualties: 7 Other Ranks killed; 1 Officer and 11 Other Ranks wounded during January

Total Wastage: Sick 2 Officers and 66 Other Ranks

Strength Available:  21 Officers, 4 Warrant Officers, 24 Sergeants, 34 Corporals, 66 Lance Corporals,  426 Other Ranks – Total 21 Officers, 554 Other Ranks

In Hospital:  4 Officers, 1 Sergeant, 4 Lance Corporals,  38 Other Ranks

- Total 4 Officers 43 Other Ranks

On leave: 2 Officers, 2 Sergeants, 1 Corporal, 5 Lance Corporals, 19 Other Ranks

- Total 2 Officers, 27 Other Ranks

On Command: 1 Officer, 2 Sergeants, 1 Corporal, 7 Lance Corporals, 38 Other Ranks

- Total 1 Officer, 48 Other Ranks

Transport: 1 Officer, 1 Sergeant, 3 Corporals, 2 Lance Corporals, 43 Other Ranks

- Total 1 Officer, 49 Other Ranks

Machine Gunners: 1 Officer, 1 Sergeant, 2 Corporals, 4 Lance Corporals, 64 Other Ranks

- Total 1 Officer, 71 Other Ranks

Total: 30 Officers, 4 Warrant Officers, 31 Sergeant, 41 Corporals, 88 Lance Corporals, 628 Other Ranks

- Total: 30 Officers, 792 Other Ranks

Nominal Roll of Officers serving with Battalion

Lieutenant-Colonel H C Jackson, Commanding

Major J S Siddell, 2nd in Command

Captain R B L Hatch, Commanding C Company

Captain D M Hawkins

Captain W T Pares, Commanding A Company

Captain R M Quillin, Commanding B Company

Captain E E Simeons, Commanding D Company

Lieutenant A J Jessopp

Lieutenant S N Mitchell

Lieutenant Airth

Lieutenant S N S Kennedy

Second Lieutenant F L Body, Transport Officer

Second Lieutenant H C Weston

Second Lieutenant E R W Draisley, Officer in charge of Machine Guns

Second Lieutenant  D W McMichael, Officer in charge of Bombers

Lieutenant S J Vipond

Second Lieutenant A M Fleming, Officer in charge, Signals

Second Lieutenant S L Hart

Second Lieutenant H Player

Second Lieutenant E U Hague

Second Lieutenant R R Martin

Second Lieutenant C Cartwright

Second Lieutenant R H Blackburn

Second Lieutenant J Hislop

Second Lieutenant H F Stevens, Adjutant

Attached

Lieutenant A A O'Connor, Medical Officer(1)

Source: X550/9/1

(1) Of these officers Simeons, Mitchell, Body, McMichael, Cartwright, Blackburn and Hislop would not survive the war.