On the growth of the recruit and young soldier : with a view to a judicious selection of "growing lads" for the army, and a regulated system of training for recruits / by Sir William Aitken.

  • Aitken, William, 1825-1892.
Date:
1887
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the growth of the recruit and young soldier : with a view to a judicious selection of "growing lads" for the army, and a regulated system of training for recruits / by Sir William Aitken. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    shown will in future be required, that the prac- tice of enlisting boys from the several industrial, district, union, and other schools shall be still further extended. At present only a limited number of boys in excess of the number authorised as band-boys, drummers, etc., are allowed to be taken for training- in regiments, brigades, and corps ; and this for the very cogent reason that each boy thus enlisted counts as one of the establishment, and is thus reckoned amongst the effective sabres or bayonets. But if authority were given for the enlistment of a larger number of boys in excess of the establishment, to be retained at the depots or at their present schools until they reached the age of 17 or 18 years, during which time they should attend to study, be instructed in trades (this should be imperative), and thoroughly drilled, besides being put through a course of gymnastics, it is believed that a very valuable ele- ment would be introduced into the army, and that from this source many good non-commissioned officers especially would be obtainable, supplying thus a want from which many corps are now reported to suffer. From information that has been received, it would appear that any number of such boys may be obtamed ; and if the principle were adopted and the proposal reduced to a system there is no doubt that a regular flow of young men of a superior stamp would be added to the service, aiding in a large degree towards filling the vacancies that will occur from the constant passing of short-service men into