Breadth 1: Organising the Military (Recruitment) Flashcards
What was the ‘press’ gang and what did they do? How were they linked to merchant ships?
‘Press’ is colloquial for impressment. Seamen would be sent ashore on port towns to find men with experience at sea. Once approached by the press gang, a seafarer would know the game was up and go peacefully.
Most of the men pressed for service were from merchant ships. The Navy would often take the best man on the ship and replace him with a Landman or poor sailor. Many merchant captains hid their prized sailors.
Who was the recruiting sergeant?
An older man who was almost unfit for active service but who was eloquent and experienced in order to persuade men to join less populated Army regiment. Every regiment had one.
How did the recruiting sergeant convince free men to join the Army?
A recruit could be plied with alcohol and convinced to join whilst drunk.
Young men were convinced by tales of far away lands and grand adventures.
Promises of well-paid employment, without mentioning that stoppages would take up 80% of their salary.
How did the recruiting sergeant convince criminals to join the Army?
Criminal courts - sergeants would offer to pay a man’s legal fees if they signed up. This would be deducted from the recruit’s pay, so they would go unpaid for years.
Some men were even saved from the gallows through this method.
Alcoholics were willing to serve for the daily ration of rum or gin.
Why was impressment a problem for Britain?
It created a force made up mostly of unwilling men who had no dedication to the cause. The French Wars had shown the importance of high morale.
Men serving under impressment had to be punished more, but society was less and less tolerant of flogging and branding.
For the Navy, there were too many sailors rather than too few due to ships being decommissioned.
Why did the recruitment situation in the Royal Navy improve?
Seen as most popular branch of armed forces, so attractive to young men.
Pay was higher than in the army, sailors got a pension and had a fixed term of service.
Trade expansion meant more merchant seamen willing to transfer to the Royal Navy.
Royal Navy Reserves were created in 1859.
When was impressment made illegal?
1780, but dubious methods were used during the French Wars. After 1815, people were less tolerant of this and all volunteers had to be willing.
How was print media used to recruit men?
Adverts were put up in newspapers as people became more literate. Local regiments used local press.
Posters were used. It was increasingly cheaper to print in colour with eye-catching pictures.
What two factors affected the amount of men being recruited throughout the 19th century?
The economy - more men joined the armed forces when they were in poverty or when there was a recession.
Public opinion - Public opinion became more favourable, as a uniformed man became more desirable and seen as a symbol of patriotism and greatness.
Why were ‘Pals’ battalions created and what was the problem with them?
They were created to encourage men to sign up together and serve with people from the same area.
During the Battle of the Somme, some ‘Pals’ battalions were wiped out almost entirely, leaving areas with nearly no menfolk to return. The use of the battalions was promptly scrapped.
How many men were conscripted by the end of WW1?
2.5 million men.
How many men applied for an exemption to conscription in the first months of it being instated? Who could be eligible?
750,000 men applied in the first few months of conscription.
Teachers, clergymen, the mining sector and key industry workers were exempted. Conscientious objectors were also exempt.
