Files-on -Parade?

[Hugh]

Bear with me, this gets a little complicated. One of my favorite poems is Danny Deever by Rudyard Kipling. The poem is in the form of a dialogue between Files-on-Parade and the Colour Sergeant. I've never known what Files-on-Parade meant, but I assume it's a functional title, like Platoon Guide in the US Army - not a rank, but a job description, suggesting a slight seniority to the rank and file. I know we had file closers at the Naval Academy. They marched at the rear of the company in mass formation, allegedly to keep order, although they were usually chosen from the slackers and grabass members of the First Class (seniors) and didn't do much for good order and discipline.

At any rate, I know someone here will be able to tell me what Files-on-Parade means. Thanks in advance.

Danny Deever Courtesy of the Poetry Foundation - http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/176154

By Rudyard Kipling

‘What are the bugles blowin’ for?' said Files-on-Parade.

‘To turn you out, to turn you out,’ the Colour-Sergeant said.

‘What makes you look so white, so white?’ said Files-on-Parade.

‘I’m dreadin’ what I’ve got to watch,’ the Colour-Sergeant said.

For they’re hangin’ Danny Deever, you can hear the Dead March play,

The Regiment’s in ’ollow square—they’re hangin’ him to-day;

They’ve taken of his buttons off an’ cut his stripes away,

An’ they're hangin’ Danny Deever in the mornin’.

‘What makes the rear-rank breathe so ’ard?’ said Files-on-Parade.

‘It’s bitter cold, it's bitter cold,’ the Colour-Sergeant said.

‘What makes that front-rank man fall down?’ said Files-on-Parade.

‘A touch o’ sun, a touch o’ sun,’ the Colour-Sergeant said.

They are hangin’ Danny Deever, they are marchin’ of ’im round,

They ’ave ’alted Danny Deever by ’is coffin on the ground;

An’ ’e’ll swing in ’arf a minute for a sneakin’ shootin’ hound—

O they’re hangin’ Danny Deever in the mornin!’

‘’Is cot was right-’and cot to mine,’ said Files-on-Parade.

‘’E’s sleepin’ out an’ far to-night,’ the Colour-Sergeant said.

‘I’ve drunk ’is beer a score o’ times,’ said Files-on-Parade.

‘’E’s drinkin’ bitter beer alone,’ the Colour-Sergeant said.

They are hangin’ Danny Deever, you must mark ’im to ’is place,

For ’e shot a comrade sleepin’—you must look ’im in the face;

Nine ’undred of ’is county an’ the Regiment’s disgrace,

While they’re hangin’ Danny Deever in the mornin’.

‘What’s that so black agin the sun?’ said Files-on-Parade.

‘It’s Danny fightin’ ’ard for life,’ the Colour-Sergeant said.

‘What’s that that whimpers over’ead?’ said Files-on-Parade.

‘It’s Danny’s soul that’s passin’ now,’ the Colour-Sergeant said.

For they’re done with Danny Deever, you can ’ear the quickstep play,

The Regiment’s in column, an’ they’re marchin’ us away;

Ho! the young recruits are shakin’, an’ they’ll want their beer to-day,

After hangin’ Danny Deever in the mornin’!

Source: A Choice of Kipling's Verse (1943)

Edited July 12, 2014 by Hugh

[peter monahan]

Kipling being poetic, rather than an appointment like File Closer. A 'file' would be two men - front and rear rank - so a company with '36 files on parade' would be parading 72 men plus the covering sergeant and officer. 'Files' is the front rank man and the guy breathing hard would be his 'oppo', rear rank man. Usually you'd have the same front rank/rear rank men together - tended to be arranged by height within a platoon or company - and they'd be buddies or at least watching each others' backs. So Files is getting a good close look at Danny.

[Hugh]

Aha! After all, it is the business of poets to be poetic.

It sounds as though you are describing a parade of two ranks (a wide front). Now let's consider a company mass formation. For example, three platoons of three squads each. In that case, I'd guess the rank would be 9 across, and the file would be 12 - 20 men long, tall men in front. In that case, how would you revise your description?

[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)

Edited July 13, 2014 by rd72

[Hugh]

Perfect! That's done it, chapter and verse. Quite different from the American practice in the mid-20th century.

It's amazing what the members of this forum know or can dig up.

Many thanks,

Hugh

Edited July 14, 2014 by Hugh

[peter monahan]

Rob has got it spot on! Thank you, sir!