1917

February - Royal Warrant creates the Labour Corps

On 21 February a Royal Warrant was published that announced the formation of the Labour Corps.  Its object was to obtain more fluidity in utilizing the services of men in Infantry Labour and Works Units, and to simplify administrative work.’

April - Army Council Instruction 611

Published on 13 April ACI 611 outlined the organisation of the Labour Corps.

In the UK - Infantry Works Companies became Home Service Labour Companies. In June they were renamed Home Service (Works) Companies.

Infantry Works Battalions became Home Service Battalions. Within a few months the Home Service Battalions were disbanded and Home Service Labour Companies formed from them.

Overseas - Infantry Labour Battalions and Companies became Labour Corps Companies.

Shoulder Title - 28 Company Labour Corps Titles with the Company Number were only worn from May to July 1917

May - Employment Companies added to Labour Corps

Employment Companies, made up of tradesmen, were introduced to undertake regimental employments in the U.K.

Overseas Divisional, Corps and Army Employment Companies were formed to service the needs of the Headquarters at each level.  In addition Employment Companies were created to work on the Lines of Communication and in Army areas to work for the town majors and area commandants.  These companies were all 270 strong, with the exception of the Army Employment Companies (120 strong).

Cloth Labour Corps Shoulder Title

June - Agricultural Companies become part of Labour Corps

The Regimental agricultural companies operating in the U.K.  were transferred to the Labour Corps in June 1917. At their peak there were almost 75,000 men serving in Agricultural Companies in the U.K.

Officer & N.C.O.s - 407 Agricultural Company Richmond, Yorkshire

September - Artizan Employment Companies

Created in France from skilled tradesmen these companies were used to undertake building tasks in Army areas and on the Lines of Communications.  By the end of the war there were around 30 Artizan Companies operating in France.

September - Garrison Guard

These were armed employment companies used to guard bases and store depots and on anti-aircraft duties.

1918

Labour Corps Cap Badge Approved October 1918 -  in use from December onwards

January - Labour Corps Agricultural Companies created in France

It was intended to form six agricultural companies from men serving in France to work at the Army’s farm at Roye. Finding suitable men proved difficult and after the German Offensive of March 1918 the decision was made to amalgamate the companies that had been formed into two Area Employment Agricultural Companies.

In October 1918 these companies were re-organised into six companies, each 170 strong, and allocated to a specific Army.

April - Russian Labour Battalions and Companies

Formed from Russian subjects living in the U.K. the majority of whom were Jewish. The two Battalions (8^th and 9^th Battalions, Labour Corps) were stationed in the U.K. as receiving and training units.

Four Companies served in France, the first arriving in June 1918. They were used for general labouring tasks and for salvage and battlefield clearance after November 1918.

April - PoW Companies

From its formation in 1917 the Labour Corps had supplied men to supervise the work of German PoWs in France although officers in charge of the companies and the guards were provided from men in infantry regiment.  This changed in April 1918 when the officers were transferred to the Labour Corps and July with the transfer of the guards.