{"product_id":"s-w-b-number-b278406-issued-to-j-brotherton-tr5-54069-83rd-training-battalion","title":"S.W.B number B278406 issued to J.BROTHERTON Tr5\/54069, 83rd Training Battalion.","description":"\u003cp\u003e \u003cbr\u003e S.W.B number B278406 issued to J.BROTHERTON Tr5\/54069 of the 83rd Training Battalion. \u003cspan\u003eB‑prefix issue late 1918–1919\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBy 1916–17 the Army had reorganised home‑based training into numbered Training Reserve Battalions; men with TR‑prefixed numbers, like TR5\/54069, belonged to these.[researchingww1]\u003cbr\u003eThe 83rd Training Battalion was one of the “5th Reserve Brigade” battalions (hence the “5” in the number) and its job was to take conscripts and returning wounded, give them basic soldiering and musketry, and then draft them out as trained reinforcements to front‑line infantry units in their group.\u003cbr\u003eIn 1917 a Training Battalion’s duties typically included: reception and medical inspection of recruits; foot drill, rifle drill and musketry (including range work and trench‑warfare practices); physical training and route marching; gas‑mask drill; bayonet fighting and bombing instruction; and specialist cadres for Lewis gun, signalling and scouting.\u003cbr\u003eThe battalion also handled administrative tasks such as issuing and maintaining equipment, keeping service records up to date, and assessing men’s fitness; those who broke down physically or whose previous wounds or illness made them unfit for further service would be boarded by a medical officer, recommended for discharge, and then, if eligible, recommended for the Silver War Badge as happened with Brotherton.\u003cbr\u003eThe “B” prefix on B278406 indicates it was one of roughly 350,000 badges issued between September 1918 and December 1919, usually to men (and women) discharged in the later part of the war or immediately afterwards.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gradia Militaria","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52603157381448,"sku":"6.3.26","price":26.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0924\/1103\/5976\/files\/IMG-1833.heic?v=1772828323","url":"https:\/\/www.gradiamilitaria.com\/products\/s-w-b-number-b278406-issued-to-j-brotherton-tr5-54069-83rd-training-battalion","provider":"Gradia Militaria","version":"1.0","type":"link"}