Wellington issued General Orders that all of the light companies in each brigade should be formed into a temporary light battalion whenever they were likely to be in combat. He actually issued virtually the same order three times, once on first landing in Portugal in 1808, again when he returned to command the army in 1809 and shortly after taking command in the Netherlands in 1815 (text below):

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Wellesley lands at Mondego Bay, Portugal – 1 August 1808.Extract from General Order issued at Lavos on 3 August 1808

The Lieutenant General requests the General officers commanding brigades will, on all occasions of march and formation of the line of their respective brigades, place the light infantry companies belonging to the several regiments under their command in a separate corps under the command of a field-officer. In the ordinary formation on parade, and in route marches, these corps of light infantry will be on the left of the brigade. In formation in front of the enemy they will be in front or in rear, according to the circumstances; and in marches of columns to take up a position, they will be on the reverse flank of the column. The light infantry companies will, however, encamp and do all duties with the regiments.

Wellesley returns to Portugal (Lisbon) – 26 April 1809.Extract from General Order issued at Coimbra on 4 May 1809

3. The light infantry companies belonging to, and the riflemen attached to each brigade of infantry, are to be formed together, on the left of the brigade, under the command of a Field Officer or Captain of light infantry of the brigade, to be fixed upon by the Officer who commands it. Upon all occasions, in which the brigade may be formed in line, or in column, when the brigade shall be formed for the purpose of opposing an enemy, the light infantry companies and riflemen will be of course in the front, flanks, or rear, according to the circumstances of the ground, and the nature of the operation to be performed. On all other occasions, the light infantry companies are to be considered as attached to their battalions, with which they are to be quartered or encamped, and solely under the command of the Commanding Officer of the battalion to which they belong.

Wellington arrives at Anglo-Allied Headquarters Bussels – 4 April 1815.Extract from General Order issued at Bruxells on 9 May 1815

1. The light infantry companies belonging to each brigade of infantry, are to act together as a battalion of light infantry, under the command of a field officer or captain, to be selected for the occasion by the General Officer commanding the brigade, upon all occasions on which the brigade may be formed in line or column, whether for a march, or to oppose the enemy.

2. On all other occasions, the light infantry companies are to be considered as attached to their battalions, with which they are to be quartered or encamped, and solely under the command of the commanding officer of the battalion to which they belong.

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All of the accounts of Albuera show that the 4th Division conformed to this order, forming a light battalion of the light companies of 1/7th, 2/7th, 1/23rd, a Brunswick Jaeger company, and the three "orphaned" light companies of Kemmis' Brigade (2/27th, 1/40th and 97th), the remainder of Kemmis' brigade being cut off by the flood of the Guardiana and not joining the army until after the battle. This 7 company light battalion protected the right flank of Cole's 4th Division whilst the 1st Loyal Lusitanian Legion (shortly to be renamed as 7th Cacadores) protected the left flank.

What I am curious about, is that none of the accounts that I have read show the brigades of the 2nd Division similarly forming their light companies into converged light battalions. They clearly should have done so, in accordance with Wellington's General Orders. Apart from the 10 light companies in the Division there were three rifle companies of 5th/60th, who should have also been incorporated into this temporary light battalion structure. My guess is that it did happen, but Oman did not mention it and most other accounts have followed Oman. Can anyone point to any memoirs of the battalions of the 2nd Division, and particularly their light companies to shed some light on this?

Rod