Gemeiner (pl. Gemeine, en: private or soldier[1]) was until 1918 the common designation to soldier(s) in the Austro-Hungarian Army (k.u.k. Army) and German Army. In line to the particular branch of service it contained the rank file as follows:
BROCKHAUS, The encyclopaedia in 24 volumes (1796–2001), Volume 8: 3-7653-3668-8, page 290; definition: «Gemeiner»
References
^Langenscheidt's Encyclopaedic Dictionary of the English and German language: „Der Große Muret-Sander“, Part I German-English First Volume A–K, 9th edition 2002, p. 661 – «de: Gemeiner / en: private (common soldier)»
