until the 8-company infantry battalion gave way to the 4- , in 1913/14, the Sergeant-Major [appointment] was one of only two WOs [rank] [the other was the Bandmaster] in the battalion.
It was only with the creation of Company Sergeant-Majors [originally senior C/Sgts until 1915] that the senior man needed a new title. As to why not 'battalion', its a mystery.
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