"OLD CONTEMPTABLES" 1914

[PFF]

What British units received nickname "Old Contemtables" for 1914 figthing?

Are these units still active or dormant?

[armourersergeant]

I never look upon units as being 'Old Contemptibles' but more individual men. But i guess you could refer to the main site as see which battalions served during the time mentioned.

Obviously by the wars end though the term could not really be associated with the battalions as most of the men had long since passed on.

regards

Arm.

[ianw]

As Arm suggests, the nick name was applied to the troops of the BEF - rather than the units they were in - who landed in France in the opening few months of the Great War . Because they were regular army units , many of these units still do exist - although with considerable amalgamations, of course. As such they will include the opening battles of the Great War such as Mons and Le Cateau among their battle honours.

[HarryBettsMCDCM]

The term "Old Contemptible" was adopted by the Veterans of the 1914 BEF,as a result of the Kaiser's reference to "wiping out this contemptible little Army" His derisory remark, in true British Fashion,was adopted with fervour & entered the Vocabulary.

The Veterans organisation of that name was founded after the War.

It's members being limited to those entitled to wear the 1914 Star,so basically any of those units that received the Medal would have been Old Contemptibles,though as stated few if any,apart from The Royal Horse Artillery & Royal Engineers,titularly, remain as they were in 1914

[duckman]

The term "Old Contemptible" was adopted by the Veterans of the 1914 BEF,as a result of the Kaiser's reference to "wiping out this contemptible little Army" His derisory remark, in true British Fashion,was adopted with fervour & entered the Vocabulary.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

FWIW, I read recently that the word the Kaiser actually used usually means "insignificant". With rather less than 10% of the Entente forces in France in August 1914, the label is...well, not valid exactly, but understandable.

As Harry says, it was only typical that the men themselves should find the most objectionable translation and then apply it to themselves as a badge of pride...