Chapter XXX: Appendix: B

REMARKS ON MILITARY NOMENCLATURE

In any Science the first step towards systematizing it is to form a definite terminology on systematic lines. Nor is this mere pedantry. Words are the expressions of thought; without defined terms there can be no clear thinking.

None can have read much, or written at all, on military matters without noticing the unsatisfactory nature of many of the terms used. Few are short, crisp, and definite, like _Troop_, _Squad_, _Staff_. Compare these with _Regiment_, _Division_, _Artillery_. Confusion also constantly arises from the indeterminate meanings of words like _Commander_, _Section_, _Brigade_, _Unit_.

Other words are cumbrous, like _Medical Services_ (or _Officer_), _Mounted Infantry_, _Ammunition Column_, _Lines of Communication_, _Mounted Brigade_, _Veterinary Services_ (or _Officer_). Some single words are urgently needed instead of these.

In British Establishments, simplification would result if there were one word for _Drummers_, _Buglers_, and _Trumpeters_, and one for all personnel except Officers. _Dismounted men_ is a poor name for men who were never mounted.

The organization of Artillery cries out for some systematized terms. _Field Artillery_ includes in foreign armies the batteries of Field Guns, Howitzers, and Horse Artillery, but is generally used for those of Field Guns only. A general word to include guns and howitzers is needed. _Wagon_ is used for transport wagons and ammunition wagons, and a single word for the latter is much needed; the American word _caisson_, or the old English _tumbril_, might be used. A better word is wanted for _Machine-Gun_, which is not a gun, but a rifle. _Divisional Artillery_, a unit of several Brigades under a General, might have a special name. _Divisional Ammunition Column_ seems a very long term when writing Orders.

_Cavalry_ and _Infantry_ might well be usually replaced by _Horse_ and _Foot_. The words _Troop_ and _Squadron_ might be used without the addition of “Cavalry,” as indeed _Company_ and _Battalion_ without adding “Infantry.” It would be convenient if, in the British Service at any rate, the word _Regiment_ always connoted Horse, to avoid adding “Cavalry,” just as Battalion connotes Foot.

Turning to ranks of Officers, the word _General_ might be used instead of _G.O.C._ The term _Commander_ is used indiscriminately, and might be confined to Subordinate Commanders of Corps and Divisions, leaving _Commander-in-Chief_ for the Army Command, with _Supreme Commander_ where there are several Armies. A single word for the _Divisional Commander_ would be convenient, like _Brigadier_ for the Brigade Commander. _Commanding Officer_ should always imply the C.O. of a Cavalry Regiment, Infantry Battalion, or Artillery Brigade, and might be rendered, as in French, by the word _Chief_. The word _Captain_ does not imply the important and similar functions of the Squadron, Company, and Battery _Leader_, who is often a Major; and the word _Leader_ might be adopted. The good old words “Cornet” and “Ensign” might be reintroduced.

_D.A.A.G._ and _D.A.Q.M.G._ are deplorable titles, as are also _Inspector-General of Communications_ and _Commander of Lines of Communication Defences_.

We have _Gunner_, _Driver_, and _Sapper_; why should not _Trooper_ be officially used for private of Cavalry?

It would be convenient if the word _Train_ were officially used for all the non-fighting Trains.

Now that the whole force of a great nation includes several Armies, it is desirable to have a separate word for the whole _Army_. Perhaps _Host_?

A short word (like _Base_) is much needed for the _L. of C._ and the _Advanced Base_. Perhaps _Rear-Routes_ and _Fore-Base_ might be used?

A better word for _Advanced Guard_ would be _Foreguard_, on the analogy of Rear-Guard and Vanguard. The cumbrous expression “Commander of the Advanced Guard” might then be replaced by _Foreguard Chief_.

The awkward French word _depôt_ (with its accent) might be replaced by the Old English word _stow_, which we find surviving in place-names, where it meant a military depôt during the English conquest of Britain.

The importance of shortening and defining military terms does not rest only on the convenience of writers and readers. The advantage in saving time, and conducing to lucidity, cannot be overestimated when Orders are to be written and read, often under difficulties and in a hurry.

A scientific system of Military Terminology would thus prove of real value in war. The above observations are made in order to call attention to this matter, in the hope that official action may one day lead to a more logical system of military terms.

_Printed and bound by Hazell, Watson & Viney, Ld., London and Aylesbury._

Transcriber’s Notes

Punctuation, hyphenation, and spelling were made consistent when a predominant preference was found in this book; otherwise they were not changed.

Simple typographical errors were corrected; occasional unbalanced quotation marks retained.

Ambiguous hyphens at the ends of lines were retained.

Page 84: In this eBook, the table uses a Key in order to minimize the width of the columns. In the original book, the column headings appeared within the columns.

Page 183: “The Regiment was 100 strong“ probably should be “1000“.