3.1.3
Recruitment & Training
Recruitment: Early Industrial Period
Recruitment: Early Industrial Period
Recruitment changed significantly during this period, as the challenges Britain faced during the Crimean wars revealed the shortcomings of the current tactics. Lord Cardwell’s reforms impacted both recruitment and tactics.
Recruiting officers
Recruiting officers
- The position of an officer was seen as an appropriate career for the younger sons of the aristocracy and gentry.
- Positions were bought by parents in exchange for money (known as the Purchase System).
Recruiting officers cont.
Recruiting officers cont.
- The higher the rank, the higher the price; only the very richest nobility could afford the highest ranks.
- Many officers bought commissions for the status, lifestyle and long-term income.
- Nepotism was very common (in 1850, 5 of the military secretaries were nephews of Commander-in-Chief Lord Raglan).
- Quality of officers = unreliable.
Recruiting other ranks
Recruiting other ranks
- Rather than sign up for life (21 years), men could sign up for ‘short’ enlistment (8-12 years).
- Pay – 8d/day (£3 in today’s money) 1660-1792, BUT soldiers had to still pay for lodgings in peacetime and equipment.
- Bounties- £3 (£250 today) as a one-off payment if recruits signed up for life.
Recruiting other ranks cont.
Recruiting other ranks cont.
- Drinks– many men were given drinks at an inn and then signed up.
- Get out of jail free– criminals and debtors were released early if they agree to join the army.
- During the War of American Independence (1776-83), three regiments (7000 men) were raised this way.
- As a result of these methods, desertion was a common problem. In 1805, 1 out of every 157 recruits deserted.
Training: Changes in the Industrial Period
Training: Changes in the Industrial Period
Recruitment changed significantly during this period, as the challenges Britain faced during the Crimean wars revealed the shortcomings of the current tactics. Lord Cardwell’s reforms impacted both recruitment and tactics.
Changes to training
Changes to training
- 1708– Duke of Marlborough issued manual of tactics for officers – New Exercise of Firelocks and Bayonets – not widely used.
- 1728-1851– George II issued regulations for the army to use – often ignored.
- 1741– Royal Military Academy established at Woolwich to teach gunnery.
Changes to training 2
Changes to training 2
- 1757 - Militia Act - Men were selected by ballot in each parish and had to serve for 5 years. They protected the country against invasion and could be used to supplement the army in times of war.
- 1790s– wars against France.
- Standard drills for maneuvering troops (1792), cavalry (1795) and use of swords and rifles (1797) issued but often resisted.
Changes to training 3
Changes to training 3
- 1800 – Royal Military College established at Sandhurst to improve training of existing officers.
- 1802 – Junior Department added for cadets training to be officers.
Cardwell’s reforms
Cardwell’s reforms
- Flogging (whipping as a punishment) was abolished.
- Bounty money was abolished.
- Length of service was reduced from 21 to 12 years.
- Localisation Scheme was introduced, allowing recruits to ‘sign up’ and fight alongside people from their local area.
- The Purchase System was abolished.
1Medieval Warfare c.1250-1500
2Early Modern Warfare c.1500-1700
3Industrial Warfare c.1700-1900
4Modern Warfare c.1900-present
5The Historic Environment
5.1London & the Second World War, 1939-45
Jump to other topics
1Medieval Warfare c.1250-1500
2Early Modern Warfare c.1500-1700
3Industrial Warfare c.1700-1900
4Modern Warfare c.1900-present
5The Historic Environment
5.1London & the Second World War, 1939-45
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