Second lieutenants found themselves in command of companies, sergeants and corporals and privates became leaders of small groups of men.
"From Bapaume to Passchendaele, 1917"
Philip Gibbs
After the non-commissioned officers of each company, including all the sergeants and corporals, had drawn their horses according to rank, the privates were made to draw lots for the remainder-a performance which produced no little amount of excitement.
"Three Years in the Federal Cavalry"
Willard Glazier
When I got in I found that I and one other fellow were the only privates; all the rest were sergeants and corporals, thirteen altogether, unlucky number.
"“Crumpsâ€Â, The Plain Story of a Canadian Who Went"
Louis Keene