Could a "soldier-servant" be a sergeant (British Army, WW1)

[Doug ex-em4]

I'm just working out a bit of character detail for a game actually set in the early thirties. One of the characters was a soldier-servant (I believe they weren't called "batmen" until after the war but I could be wrong).

I'd like him to have been an early volunteer, risen to rank of sergeant and then become the servant of his previous employer's nephew when that young man joins up in 1916.

Is this plausible or even possible?

Doug

[joroas]

As fluff, yes.  But most batmen would be privates, a sergeant is a high rank to be attached to a new subaltern, unless strings are pulled.  No officer would have willingly let a good, tried and trusted sergeant leave his platoon in 1916.

[Doug ex-em4]

As fluff, yes.  But most batmen would be privates, a sergeant is a high rank to be attached to a new subaltern, unless strings are pulled.  No officer would have willingly let a good, tried and trusted sergeant leave his platoon in 1916.

That's what I thought to be honest. How about if he became a batman whilst still a private - would that mean that he was effectively "frozen" in the rank of private? What would be the likelihood of a batman being promoted?

doug

[joroas]

Past L/C, I doubt.  In my head I see Baldrick............. 

[Doug ex-em4]

Past L/C, I doubt.  In my head I see Baldrick............. 

That's something you need to have attended to.....

The character I have in mind is no Baldrick - this is derring-do - violence-and-adventure-for-fun-and-larks territory....

Doug

[joroas]

Well, in your fluff, think Segal in Under Siege.  Segal's character is a bit like that.

[joroas]

What about a segeant in the Military Police seconded to missions with this officer to investigate issues and masquerading as a batman with shellshock.  Who would suspect him?

[Doug ex-em4]

What about a segeant in the Military Police seconded to missions with this officer to investigate issues and masquerading as a batman with shellshock.  Who would suspect him?

Well, that may work although I'm now tempted to reverse my original scenario and have him start off as a batman to the son of his pre-war employer and then, tiring off the life of a soldier-servant, volunteering to return to his platoon. There he distinguishes himself and eventually makes sergeant.

Doug

[joroas]

More Jeeves and Wooster than Blackadder and Baldrick, then? 

[Captain Blood]

Come on, admit it, you're playing a game based on Downton Abbey, aren't you? 

[Doug ex-em4]

Come on, admit it, you're playing a game based on Downton Abbey, aren't you? 

I was very upset when they nicked my story line (or should I call that a "story arc" nowadays?). I may sue...

Doug

[Jim French]

In the American Army it is the sergeants' job to train the young butterbars.  I was fortunate to have two very good sergeants looking out for me when I was a lieutenant.

[janner]

Yes, soldier-servants would have been privates, riflemen, fusiliers etc. , but senior officers might well have had a house serjeant/sergeant to run their household, much like a butler in civilian life. So if your officer is a Brigadier then you are away ...