Recruitment.
The system of recruitment throughout the Army is that of voluntary enlistment. As mentioned above, we are the only country in Europe whose soldiers are thus enlisted. The subjects of all other European countries are liable to be enrolled in the army whether they like it or not, and, as a rule, they do not like it. This voluntary enlistment is a great advantage for us in one way, in that only those need be soldiers who want to be; but, on the other hand, the strength of our Army is chiefly dependent on the number of men who happen to fancy soldiering, and this is hardly a matter for congratulation. Up till now, the system has sufficed: let us hope we shall never have to change it.
Cavalry.
(Tropical Field Kit.)
It is not generally known that there exists an Act[3] which has to be suspended annually by Parliament (or else it would now be in force), by which the Crown is empowered to raise by ballot as many men as may be necessary for the Army. In other words, the country is liable to conscription, as far as may be determined by the Crown’s advisers. This Act has, however, not been enforced since 1815. N.B.—This mode of raising troops must not be confounded with the “Embodiment of the Militia,” of which more hereafter.
Officers of Highland Light
Infantry and Argyll and
Sutherland Highlanders.
Recruiting is carried out by paid recruiters (non-commissioned officers) in the different districts. Formerly, the recruiting-sergeant used to clinch the bargain with the would-be recruit by presenting him with a shilling, on which the recruit usually got drunk. The “Queen’s Shilling” has, however, been done away with, and the recruit has now to get drunk at his own expense.
After going through certain formalities and answering certain questions before a magistrate, the recruit signs his “attestation-paper,” and is then considered as enlisted.
The terms of service are, as a rule, seven years with the colours and five years thereafter in the Reserve. There are a few exceptions to this; men joining the Household Cavalry, Colonial Corps,[4] and one or two other smaller branches of the Service, enlist for twelve years with the colours; men for the Royal Engineers or Foot Guards have the alternative of the usual term, or three years with the colours and nine years in the Reserve; whilst the Army Service Corps and Medical Staff Corps men and a few others serve for only three years with the colours and a varying term of years in the Reserve.