The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1912-1921, 1918-11-21
TRY OUT DISCHARGE
I OF BRITISH SOLDIERS
U. S. OFFICERS SEE 24-HoUR TEST.
ING OF DETAILS FOR RETURN
ING SOLDIERS TO PRIVATE
LIFE-BRITAIN TO HAVE
.18 DISPERSAL STA
TIoNS.
BY Frederick M. kerby
Y. E. A. Staff Correspondence

IN. E. A. Staff Correspondent
Details of the biggest dress rehear-
sal in history, in which thousands of
British soldiers participated in trial
rehabilitation, have just been brought
to this country. The English exper-
fence is to be made available to our
government.
The scheme was prepared by the
British war Office and the ministry Of
labor. 1t was rehearsed by troops in
camp near London, the rehabilitation
taking twenty-four hours. 1t was
closely watched by military observers,
including u S. officers, for any flaws.
OF the men who took part in the
rehearsal one-half was assumed to
have just arrived from France; the
other half was assumed to be from a
collecting place in the United King
dom. All were theoretically bound
for homes in a certain specified dis
trict. If they had come from the train
hungry they wslld have. been fed,
and, If they had been in need of sleep,
would have been housed.
A dispersal station, under the plan
worked out, will have these comforts
ready, though they may not always be
wanted.
The men participating as factors"
in the dress rehearsal were in full
equipment On arrival; they entered
an 'improvised office, where each man
Ireceived sandbag In this he placed
his private belongings. Then he hand
ed over his rifle, steel helmet, gas
mask (if he was assumed to have just
come from .France) and other equip
ment. II any important article was
missing, the man was sent to another
desk to give an explanation. Here
the officer in charge was called in to
corroborate or comment on the mans
story. A satisfactory explanation end
ed the matter. Otherwise, the soldier
was debited on his dispersal certif-
cate with an amount corresponding to
| the deficiency.
Wear Uniforms % Days.
A man left the shed in his uniform
and carrying only his great-coat and
sandbag containing his private be-
| longings. In real rehabilitation, sol
diers will be allowed to keep their
uniforms, but the greatcoats must be
returned ON conclusion of their fur
loughs. The men will be permitted
to wear their uniforms for twenty.
eight days after dispersal, and there
after on special" occasions only.
Then follows the Recommendation
process. Each man got an out-of-work
insurance policy securing him, in the
event of unemployment, a weekly
| sum, to be determined later In ex-
change for his dispersal certificate
he received protection certificate for
use during his four weeks furlough.
1t entitled him to advance pay for the
period. A label for the return of his
greatcoat at the end of his furlough
was issued to him; his military sery-
Ice papers and a railway warrant for
his journey were put into an envelope
marked with the number of his rail
/ way group. This number indicated
to him those Of his comrades who
were going home the same way.
Is Taken to Station.
The men were warned of the time
of the train departure, and finally TAX
en- to the station and seen off. The
soldier was at last demobilized The
clerks entered earnestly into the spir-
it of the rehearsal.