Blue Shirt and Khaki: A ComparisonArchibald, James F. J. (James Francis Jewell)
History
Blue Shirt and Khaki: A Comparison
Archibald, James F. J. (James Francis Jewell)
Great Britain. Army; Military art and science; South African War, 1899-1902; United States. Army
On the other hand, the American soldier as he is seen in the streets
of a garrison city is not marked by either self-consciousness or
noticeable bigness. His uniform is not showy, although it fits well,
and the man inside of it is well set up; he is wiry, spry, and although
of soldierly bearing, is more to be remarked for his alertness of
movement. You would never think of calling him a magnificent creature;
the keen face under the visored cap might be that of a young mechanic,
business man, or student who had learned how to wear a uniform easily.
The recruit of the British army is chosen on physical grounds, and
his obvious proportions seem to have been particularly desired. The
American soldier, as we see him, talk with him, and hear what his
officers have to say of him, seems to have obtained his place because
he is a good all-around man, with no more muscle than intelligence, and
with soundness of teeth considered as important as extensiveness of
height.
The recruiting of the British army is admirably managed by some of the
cleverest sergeants in the service. They must be able to tell at a
glance whether an applicant is likely to pass an examination, and then
they must paint the glories and possibilities of a soldier’s life in
sufficiently alluring colors to persuade the prospective recruit to
accept the “King’s shilling.”
The recruiting of the British army is always an interesting feature
of the military life of London, and one may see it any week-day
morning under the walls of the gallery opposite the church of
St.-Martin’s-in-the-Fields. This church is on the upper edge of
Trafalgar Square, in the busiest part of the city, and from nine
o’clock in the morning the work goes on all day. The various branches
of the service place signboards on the fence of the gallery court, upon
which are hung bills that set forth in glowing language the advantages
to be gained by enlisting in this or that service; also stating the
requirements, pay, and allowances. All these boards are hung side by
side, and there is an unwritten law that should a man be reading or
looking at one board, the sergeant representing another branch of the
service, or another regiment, is not permitted to speak to him until he
has passed on. As soon as he has left the board, any of the recruiting
officers is at liberty to speak to him.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account