"Free gymnastics"

[Moonraker]

An entry dated October 17, 1914, in a soldier's diary reads: "Squad drill + Free gymnastics, the latter most beneficial and enjoyable." I suspect that "free gymnastics" was another term for "Swedish drill" - what I called "PT" or Physical Training when at school - which has been discussed before here in the GWF. My schooldays PT consisted of marching, press ups, curls and the like, and "gymnastics" suggests rather more athletic activity.

The soldier had been an NCO in the Territorial Force before the war, but most of his colleagues were a mixed bag of "Kitchener recruits".

I would appreciate confirmation or otherwise of my theory, please.

 

 

[FROGSMILE]

1 hour ago, Moonraker said:

An entry dated October 17, 1914, in a soldier's diary reads: "Squad drill + Free gymnastics, the latter most beneficial and enjoyable." I suspect that "free gymnastics" was another term for "Swedish drill" - what I called "PT" or Physical Training when at school - which has been discussed before here in the GWF. My schooldays PT consisted of marching, press ups, curls and the like, and "gymnastics" suggests rather more athletic activity.

The soldier had been an NCO in the Territorial Force before the war, but most of his colleagues were a mixed bag of "Kitchener recruits".

I would appreciate confirmation or otherwise of my theory, please.

 

 

Yes I think you’re right.  I’ve posted about this before and provide images and an explanation of origins.  It was also known to past generations as “physical jerks”.  More modern “aerobics” (accompanied by music) seemed not dissimilar in principle.  See: 

1.https://www.greatwarforum.org/topic/282911-what-regiment/#comment-2906584

2.https://www.greatwarforum.org/topic/282921-home-guard-uniform-in-1914/page/2/#comment-2976627

 

 

Edited 24 November , 2022 by FROGSMILE