RECRUIT TRAINING ? OR LACK OF IT

[simon2]

Good evening all,

I just need a clarification if I may.

I have read in a few articles that the training and equipment given to the BEF before and during embarkation in Belgium was inadequate.My great grandad enlisted in the RMLI on the 08th Sept 1913 and was transferred to the Plymouth Division RM on the 06th Aug 1914.I would of thought within this period an adequate amount of training was given.If not what was he likely of been doing during this time.I have seen a photo of him during training and he looks adequately attired and equipped.

Regards,

Simon.

[Old Tom]

Hello,

I think there is no doubt that the BEF i.e. the force that moved to France in 1914 and deploved to the left of the French near Mons in Belgium was one of the most well trained and equiped armies that have ever taken to the field. It was of course very small compared with both the Geman and French. During the war its size increased from initially 4 divisons to 50 and the measures to train and equip the increasing numbers in France were huge. In the early stages there were shortages. Britain manufactured 91 artillery guns in 1914 and this rose to 1,796 in 1918. New recruit gunners under training in 1914 and early 1915 had to make do with pieces of pipe to learn the elements of gun drill and many soldiers wore blue uniforms that had been produced with the Post Office in mind. Incidentally I don't think any Royal Marines were part of the initial deployment of the BEF. They were part of of a force which attempted to to prevent the Germans from taking Antwerp in October 1914

Regards

Old Tom

[simon2]

Old Tom,

Thanks for the quick response.

I feel relieved that he would have at least had sufficient training to respond to hostilities once landed.

I was looking at his service,discharge papers and it has noted on his engagements that he landed at Ostend 27th - 31st Aug.Then he was at Dunkirk,defence of Antwerp on 19th Sep to the 12th Oct 1914 and was involved in the retreat from Mons.After that he went to the Dardenelles in 1915.

I would imagine then that the comments made on the lack of training was do with the ones who were signed up,enlisted close to the embarkation date.

Regards,

Simon.

[Ste]

I would imagine then that the comments made on the lack of training was do with the ones who were signed up,enlisted close to the embarkation date.

In order to bring the units of the BEF up to strength reservists were recalled upon mobilisation. These were men who had completed their period of service 'with the colours' and had returned to civilian life with an obligation to be recalled in the event of war. So they had all undergone full training, but perhaps some years ago. Although experienced, many of them had been 'softened' to some extent by civilian life, had put on weight and were no longer used to marching and sleeping in the open. Therefore you can find lots of accounts of members of the BEF falling out with feet blistered by new boots and unfamiliar exertion in the opening months of the war.

I forget the figures, but I think that in some units up to 60% of the strength upon mobilisation was made up of recalled reservists.

S

[Michael]

The figures vary, but the Buffs historian states that the 1st Battalion was augmented by 554 reservists when war broke out, although the 2nd Battalion was more or less up to strength in India.

Mick

[Ste]

The figures vary, but the Buffs historian states that the 1st Battalion was augmented by 554 reservists when war broke out, although the 2nd Battalion was more or less up to strength in India.

Mick

That is a good point - under the linked battalions system, the one serving overseas was likely to be at or near full establishment, as the one at home had been acting as a source of drafts to ship abroad. The original BEF was made up of units from home and there fore contained many freshly recalled reservists.

I suppose that the later regular divisions composed of battalions recalled from overseas (like 29th) contained a smaller proportion of reservists.

S

[simon2]

Hi all,

I understand now.There is a distinct possibility that my great grandad enlisted Aug 1913 done his initial recruit training at Deal and then was sent home until needed.Did the RMLI have reservists ? or would he have been under the Navy banner? As a reservist should he have had a TF after his serial number.This was the case with my other great grandad who was with the Gloucesters and his number was 1673TF.He was a reservist before being called up.

Regards,

Simon.

[Guest]

In Lyn Maconald's "1914", ther eis a picture of reservists reporting for service with one of the Guards battalions. They cover quite an age range and I would say that their level of fitness was very variable to put it mildly.

None the less, whatever you think of the generalship, British and French, in the early days of the war, the original BEF certainly gave a good account of themselves in 1914 and upheld the honour of the British regular army.

[cartoss]

This is something I'm trying to get a handle on from another direction. I have the impression that certain civilian specialists recieved very little, if any training as their skills were required urgently and there were others to do the fighting. I'm thinking specifically of drivers especially in ASC and RFA/RHA. Has anyone come across square bashing being waived particularly in the July-September 1914 period?