Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1918-11-23
TRY OUT DISCHARGE
OF BRITISH SOLDIERS
U. S. OFFICERS SEE 24-HoUR TEST
ING OF DETAILS FOR RETURN
ING. SOLDIERS TO PRIVATE
LlFE-BRlTAlN TO HAVE
10 DISPERSAL STA
TONS.
BY Frederick M. Kerby
IN. e. A. STAFF Correspondent

IN. n. A. Stan 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 Ss made available to our
government.
The scheme was prepared 10y 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. II they had come from the train
hungry they Wild 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
received sandbag. In this he placed
his private belongings. Then he hand
ed over his rifle, steel helmet, gas
mask lf 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 certifi
cate with All amount corresponding te
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
Ilongings. In real rehabilitation, sol
diers will be allowed to keep theil
uniforms, but the greatcoats must b
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-worl
insurance policy, securing him, in thu
event Of unemployment, weekly
sum, to be determined later In ex
change for his dispersal certificate
he received protection certificate fol
use during his four weeks furlough
1t entitled him to advance pay for thu
period A label for the return Of his
greatcoat at the end of his furlougf
was issued to him: his military serv
Ice papers and railway warrant To-
his journey were put into an envelope
tmarked with the number of his rail
way group. This number indicated
to him those of his comrades whs
were going home the same way.
is Taken to Station.
The men were warned of the tim,
of the train departure, and finally tax
en- to the station and seen off. TIL,
soldier was at last dsmobilized. TIL,
clerks entered earnestly into the spir
it Of the rehearsal.