The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1917-09-11
BRITISH DEFENSE CORPS.
It's Work is Similar to What National
Guard Depot Units Must Do.

The depot organizations of the National
Guard, which will form the militia of the !,
state while the fighting guard is at the
front, are in many respects similar to the
Royal Defence corps of Great Britain.
Whether or not the men of the depot
battalions will be called upon to guard
interned Germans. railroads, forts, and
other home defense work is a question
that only the future can answer. The
following article which tells of the work
of the Royal Defense corps, was written
| by member of that corps.
Various important changes" says the
author of the article ARE taking place in
| the reorganization of the Royal Defense
corps, for, in the case of this useful body
as with all the other departments of the
British Army, the progress of the war has
brought with it continuous development.
Some years before the war many ex-
naval and ex-military men, whose age or
occupation prevented them from joining
the Territorial Force, but who wished to
feel that they were identified with the
cause of national service, enrolled them
Iselves III what called the National
Reserves" The aim OF the promoters of
this organization was to have at hand and
ready for immediate mobilization should
the need arise, body of men prepared to
discharge a hundred and one duties
which would otherwise have to be per
formed by men fitted for the more
strenuous life of the trenches.
when Britain threw her might into
the struggle thousands of veterans left
desk, counter, and in many cases the retire
ment OF cottage and garden, and presented
themselves at the nearest recruiting office
ready for any duty within their power t.
perform. They Were soon formed into
Supernumerary Companies Of the Terri
: torial Forces, and attached to various reg
iments with famous names, and many
distinguished officer gave up the vel
! earned rest in which he had looked t,
spend the evening Of his life, and cheer
, fully donned once more the uniform o
his King.
During a visit of inspection, the King
who was struck by the soldierIy bearin
OF the men, inquired into their histories
and ii was found that the members OF thi
: numerically small force gould show betweei
them no less than seyenty-two media
ribbons
l While the younger men were bus
+ learning the art of war in the new armies
+ and the Territorials were already gallant
J, seconding the efforts Of the regular troop
: on many distant field the veterans TOO
over much Of the defense Of the homeland
: 1T Is sometimes thought that the men
= bers OF the Royal Defense Corps are simpl
II fit for light duty This is a mistak
II Their work Is arduous and calls for consit
II cradle vigor, The sentlics must be fit
II 60 on guard with one night in bed, an
II then turn out for duty again. The office
II visiting the sentry posts frequently hay
|, to make ten-mile round before their tor
II IS completed.
H As the force grew in numbers and !
= responsibilities increased it was decided
recognize it as a separate corps Of Il
British Army. and by royal warrant
March IT, 1916, the veterans were cons
lie tuted the Royal Defense Corps. The COZ
Sc panies, which had originally consisted
three officers and III other ranks, we
Mt increased TO the size of a full company
at infantry.
a "Ihe".Nationaf Reserve had been cal
W, fully classified in the days before the va
so that when hostilIties commenced Cla
|, formed of men under II and medical
ne fit was Immediately drafted into the arm
Classes and 3 were thus left to form t
nucleus Of what is now the Royal Defen
RS. corps, which at one time reached
err strength approaching 5000
me Originally the age limits Of the col
were from forty-one to fifty, being rais
later to sixty years Of age, but as til
est went on it was found possible to ira
lrs fer to the r. d. c. men who, after bel
dv wounded IN the fighting line. were :
Ids able and anxious to do less severe 10
lat Of military duty Men no longer fit
arduous work were drafted into the for
which was thus enabled to underts
,ag wiser activities, and so release yet OF
units for the firing line or for the lal
battalions and other auxiliary services
me vital to the conduct OF the war
.ay Not the least important of the dut
performed by the r. y. c. is the qua
inc ing of the thousands OF enemy sold
and civilians interned in huge camps
the over Britain 1t speaks wei FOR Il
vigilance that but few escapes have b
tch made
Isle OF course, sometimes a prisoner
hberately refuses to conform to the
uiationa necessary for the maintena
Of discipline, but he soon finds that
guards are not disposed to put up v
any nonsense.