rd72

Hi there, This would seem to be my first post here... A "file" was a very specific term used (as mentioned) to describe two men, front and rear rank.... Files were further organized into "left" and "right" files (basically "odds and evens") that were then used to form "Fours". This was achieved by the left file taking one step back and one step to the right to put them in line with the right file.... This then was referred to as a "Four" not a "File".... As for company formations, the standard of the time was a line, two deep... A company was divided into two half-companies, which were themselves divided into two Sections.. (4 Sections per company). The frontage of the company depended on its formation. It could be "in line" or "in Column" (essentially the same, "column" in this case being in the battalion context) or the company could be in "column of half-companies"(one behind the other) or "column of sections" (with all four sections in line, one behind the other). In either of the latter two examples, the file was still only two men.... The reference to it did not continue through the entire column. "Mass" was a term used to describe a series of battalions in column, next to each other... No such thing as "company in mass" Sizing.... Not normally done in the field, but sizing was (and is done) with the tallest men on the flanks and the shortest in the middle... Done by companies. Hope this helps... All these points are taken from the 1896 Infantry Drill manual... High Victorian, like Kipling... Cheers, Rob PS Kiplings use of "Files-on-Parade" is a euphemism for "the men" on parade, asking questions of their Colour Sergeant (the CSM of the era)