The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-21

Tommy Atkins.
A book which is likely TO arouse some in
terest in the reading public is The
Queens Service; or. the Real Tommy At
kins: Being the Experiences Of a Private
Soldier in the British Infantry. at Home
and Abroad by Horace Wyndham. This
is the designation on the title-page and it
gives a fairly good idea of the general
scope of the book. The author, is evil
dent from the reading OF even single
chapter, has served for a considerable
length Of time in the English army as a
private soldier and company officer and has
used his eyes and brain during all that
time. He has told his experience in clear
and unpretentious language and the book
is a comprehensive account of the daily life
of the English soldier. Some readers of
Klpling who have puzzled over technical
barrack-room terms will find il a very
good dictionary.
The general tone of the book is descrip-
tive but there are numerous comments,
not always favorable. on the ways of the
War Office, and notwithstanding the mill
tary prestige of England, il is evident that
there is some Algerism and some careless
ness and lack of common sense in the Eng
lish army as well as in our own. The au-
tho.'s criticisms are extremely frank with
out being at all violent, and in some re-
spects they will prove the most interest
ing part of the book to the American
reader. 1t is well that the general pub
lie should come TO understand as much OF
military matters as possible in the near
future for popular opinion may have some
thing TO do with the efficiency of the
American army in the next war. whenever
that may be. AS the uniforms of the vol
unteer regiments were bone of conten-
ton during the late war with Spain, it
may be interesting to see what Mr.. Wynd-
ham has 10 say about the marching equip
ment OF the English Tommy ON active
service.
In order 10 accustom the troops TO CARRYING
their packs. as they would have do constantly
when on active service, route marching is very
much practiced nowadays. This feature is
moet uninteresting and unpleasant one. The
term route marching simply means making
long trsnps, ten TO twenty miles in length, in
full marching order along seemingly uncnding
roads, in all sorts Of weather, rain fine. When
man is equipped like this. with ralisc on his
back containing several pounds weight Of small
articles-such as shirts, socks, towels, cap, etc,
great coat and cape, mess tin waist belt, am
munition pouches, haversack. and water bottle,
in addition his rife and bayonet, he feels
laden like camel. Neither the helmet nor the
head dress. and the ammunition boots. which
de ricneur these occasions, are positive
instruments Of torture. The soldiers clothing,
too, is very badly adapted for long marches.
From throat TO heel no air whatever can reach
his skin-except up his sleeves. The close fitting
collar of his serge frock o; tunc grips him round
the neck, his waist belt congresses his stomach,
and his stiff leather leggns render him air tight
from his knees downwards. The Army Medical
Department have for years been raising their
voice against the dress and equipment a; present
IN vogue, but without any avail. That some
thing is radically wrong about il is abundantly
proved by the numbers Of men who com
PEELED 10 iau out during the progress Of route
marches and on maneuvres. ] have often been
surprised 10 find the riaTciing good s it is
considering the food which she men perform
and the why in which they equipped. When
all cisirounted officers are compelled TO wear the
ssme equipment as the men thcy march with they
will then. perhaps. be dissbused Of their general
ly prevailing idea that it is .'eminentiy suita-
BILE" Every now and again, ] know, see in
the service papers Mandatory notices Of the great
feat OF Lieutenant So-and-so. who marched twen-
~ twenty-five miles, whatever it was. in
full marching order" But it has not been done
under the same conditions as Private Jones has
besn compelled TO do il. His officer has had a
good nights rest, followed by substantial
breakfast, his uniform fits him easily and is de
signed on comparatively hygienic principles. and,
most important Of all, his boots made ''to
measure" and are not. the private's an
Considering the remark of the army sur
geon that "a soldier on the march is no
stronger than his feet" this last item |
would seem to be worth some attention.
Another criticism Offered is on the sub !
ject Of examinations for the position of |
"non-com." Mr.. Wyndham Justly /
observes that man need not |
be considered unfit TO be a
sergeant-major because he is not at home
in problems involving the extraction of the 1
the square root OF happens not TO know all /
about the Statute of Morte-main," or the
"Witenagemote." He remarks that some
candidates who have paid especial atten-
fion TO the trade OF warfare often find these
standards difficult of attainment, and 1t
seeme 10 be his opinion that II a man is TO 4
make a business OF fighting his promotion
should depend on proficiency in that en-
ployment rather than on scholarship in
reconcile subjects which have only the re- |
hottest connection with his duties
The present author is Of the opinion that.
all things considered. the soldier ordered 1
to India is fortunate; because in that coun-
try all the irksome duties OF the cook
house. the cleaning Of barracks, etc. are
gladly performed by native bhistis. sweep
ers. and cleaners. The Indian Government |
is also fairly liberal to the soldier. Wheth- /
er the unsanitary climate offsets these ad- /
vantages or not is perhaps a matter which |
can only be settled by the soldier himself /
Mr.. Wyndhams experience Included Eng
land. Malta. Cape Town. Gibraltar. and one /
or two other places. He has very strong
words to say about the barracks provided |
at Cape Town. They were crowded, leaky /
Differentiated. ill-heated, and infested with |
more different kinds of vermin than most /
of the men had ever seen before. The quar-
termaster, at first sight Of these quarters
delivered himself of the opinion that lit 1
was a double-blanked pity that Providence |
had not arranged FOR an earthquake to up
Get the whole place before the troops ar 1
rival
The amount Of Jogging which used 10 be |
inflicted in the British army would sur /
prise most people If they knew Of it. 1t is /
difficult to realize that at comparatively /
recent date sentences OF three four, and |
FIVE hundred lashes were not uncommon.
Even now the cat" is not abolished, aEd 1
now and then a man receives from fifteen |
10 twenty-five lashes. The punishment
may be made severe, but rarely is. The
discipline of a military prison is severe
enough 10 be a deterrent In most cases,
''shot-drill' and crank drill being TWO
common forms OF punishment Mir. WyEd-
ham says Of the former penalty:
Sliot-drill lasts for an hour and half al &
time. and consists q marching round in a circle
carrying IN the hands ~ pound shot. The shot
= carried for five PAGES and then deposited in a
block. The neat I've paces performed with
the hands empty. after which th, shot deposited
by the man in front Of him is carried forward
Eve PAGES by the behind him 10 the next
block After quarter Of An houi'e shot drill
Eve minutes halt is allowed.
IL is useless form Of punishment and Is dread
ed by the mcn. who lave described il 10
Killing work On one occasion, when on fatigue
duty at the garrison provost cells In Richmond !