Battalion

A military unit forming part of a Brigade and belonging to other battalions of the same Regiment. A battalion would typically consist of a minimum of two Companies and a Battalion Headquarters numbering anywhere between 300-800 men and commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel.
 * Example: The Lieutenant Colonel commanded a Battalion of 800 ready and able men.

The Lonsdale Battalion was one of several single battalions assigned to the 97th Brigade. During the First World War the Lonsdale Battalion was one one of thirteen battalions of the Border Regiment. Between 1914–1916 the Lonsdales were commanded by Lt-Col. P. W. Machell, followed by:
 * Lt-Col. A.C. Girdwood 1917
 * Lt-Col. T.F. Tweed 1917
 * Lt-Col. R.L. Beasley 1918
 * Lt-Col. A.N. Evehill 1918