Flanker

Flanker: A shirker. "The Flankers," as a title of distinction, was the Old Army name for the "grenadier" and "light" companies of a battalion – except in Fusilier battalions – down to 1859, when the designation was abolished. They were all picked men, selected from the other, or battalion companies. The grenadiers, who paraded on the right of the line, comprised the tallest men in the regiment, and the "light company," the smartest and most athletic.