The National tribune., 1902-02-20
TOMMY ATKINS.
From Raw Recruit to Veteran
in the British Service.
BY LILLIAN HERROD.

Kipling and the BOer War have awak-
ened an interest in the British Tommy
Atkins"
There is n constant demand for recruits
in the British army through ''tiine-ex-
PRED men not caring to take on" de-
SertiOns and deaths. In order to meet
this end aluring advertisements are in
serted in the daily papers setting forth
the advantages of army life. Placards
are posted in conspicuous parts Of the
city and recruiting Sergeants parade the
streets dressed in the uniforms Of the diff
ferent regiments. Their dress attracts the
| attention of many poor fellow who, un-
successful in life, thinks here to find. nc
cording to promise, good food. good cloth
ing, nothing to do, plenty of pocket money,
and when he is old a pension" and this DeT-
suades them to go to st. Georges Bar
racks, in Orange street, Trafalgar Square.
London, where they are measured.
weighed, questioned as to age and former
service. and if found satisfactory they are
dismissed with orders to return the fol-
lowing day for their medical examination.
which is more or less severe according to
need Of recruits.
The age required for enlistment in the
army is from Is to % years. the hight
from five feet five inches to eight inches.
while the bust measurement is 80 inches.
Should he pass his examination success
| fully, he takes the oath of allegiance and
enlists for ~ years, seven with the cOlOrs
and five in the reserve. In case Of war,
however, he must remain in actice service
until its close.
There are many recruits who join the
army voluntarily, probably from a desire
to travel, which. rs soldier is constantly
| being changed from station to station, he
is able to do.
In the army there are four branches
Of service besides the corps; viz, cavalry.
artillery, engineers and infantry, with the
| ordnance, army service, army pay and
army medical corps.
1t lies in a measure with the recruit
| himself as to which branch he is at
tached. If he has fine physique and
is fond of horseback riding, his choice will
he the cavalry. IL he is strong. able
bodied and intelligent withal. 1t is the gar
rison artillery, for only those men are
the big guns and remember the exact
weight of each prOiectile, as well as to
| know the charge of powder used in every
gun on all the stations.
| If he has learned trade he will be a
royal engineer. for this branch consists
of men of the most diversified occupa-
tions. They are rightly nicknamed the
"wOTkmen of the army" for their duty
is to erect Notifications and build perma-
nent and hasty bridges. etc.
The fourth branch is the infantry. "the
| backbone and mainStay of the British
army" containing by far the largest num-
her of men; they deal with the small guns
only.
Should he, however. have no choice, he
is joined to the branch that needs him
most.
| A new recruit is sent generally to the
depot to do its d:-i''r But should a
draft be in readiness he may go to his
regiment direct Here he commences his
new life, and in company with others
finds out for himself as to whether the
recruiting Sergeant's words are true or
not.
His first attempt to don his equipment
is unsuccessful, it becoming hOpelessly en-
tangled and growing worse with each at.
| tempt he makes, until Il comrade, taking
pity on him, takes him in hand and in a
short time all is well.
His drill is in the awkward squad"
where he for the first time finds out that
his hands and feet are unmanageable.
turning and moving always the wrong
way, and thus incurring the wrath of
| the nOn-commSSiOned officer who is over
him, but his revenge comes when, later
on, he is in a position to command him
| self.
shilling to one shilling two and a half
pence, according to the branch. This
commences when the oath is taken. To
this sum he may be able to add working
pay, as officers servant, grocers' assist
ant, etc, receiving for his services from.
one shilling TO one shilling six pence per
day and being excused from all parades
save commanding officers, which is once
week.
The Government supplies his clothing
He is thoroughly fitted out at first with
three suits of clothes, one of which is for
''fatigues," and everything else is in pro-
portion, with the exception Of his pa
troll" which he must pay for himself.
After his first equipment he is expected
to replenish his fannels, gray backs"
towels and socks from his allowance.
Every two years two suits are allowed
him, the alternate year one only.
All of his clothing is his own to do with
as he chooses, with the exception of the
overcoat helmet and belt, which are Gov
ernment property: He is allowed one
pound of bread, niifknamed "rooty," one