c1700 - c1900 - Reform In Recruitment And Training

Question 1

What were problems in recruitment?

Answer 1

• officers and promotion - The quality of officers was unreliable because commisions were linked to social status rather than merit and high ranks were only given to nobility
• other ranks - Involved short enlistments of 8-12 years or life (21 years). Incentives included pay, bounties for life serivce etc. longer commitment requirements meant soliders were less eager to join
• numbers and discipline - The army found it difficult to recruit enough men. In wartime, criminals and debtors were let out of prison if they agreed to serve. This meant the quality of recruits were low and officers relied on hard discipline

Question 2

Officers and promotion

Answer 2

The quality of officers was unreliable because commisions were linked to social status rather than merit and high ranks were only given to nobility

Question 3

Methods of recruitment

Answer 3

• Colonels regiments (officers were paid to set up and equip new regiments which were as cheap as possible in order to make profit)
• 1757 militia act (overhaul of the assize of arms, men aged 18-50 were selected from every parish to serve in local militia)

Question 4

What did low pay for officers mean?

Answer 4

There was little change in the social background of officers by 1900

Question 5

Cardwells Professionalism reforms:

Answer 5

• 1870 army act which gave constant supply of trained soldiers
• lower ranks enlisted for 12 years: six in the army and six as reserves soldiers
• reserves were paid a daily rate and retained each year
• after 12 years, soldiers could resign or sign up for another 12 years plus pension

Question 6

What happened to improvements of training by 1860s?

Answer 6

• more officers came into the army via the royal military college
• artillery and enginerrering officers trained in academies
• in 1871 the sale of commisioners ended so promotion depended on merit alone
• military schools opened at hythe in 1853 and shoeburyness in 1859 to train weapon instrcutors

Question 7

What happened in 1871 to improvements of training?

Answer 7

• The sale of commisions ended - promotion depended on merit alone
• military schools opened

Question 8

When was the regularisation of forces act?

Answer 8

1871

Question 9

What did Cardwells regularisation of forces act do?

Answer 9

• reorganised regiments into regions, with local barracks for accommodation (every regiment had two ‘linked’ battalions from home and abroad and a third made up of local militia)
• by 1881, rations were improved and branding and flogging were abolished

Question 10

Cardwells reforms (1871)

Answer 10

• abolished flogging - improved recruitment as good quality recruits were more likely to join the army, knowing they wouldn’t be flogged if they did something wrong
• resuced service from 21 years to 12 years - Meant people would be more willing to join as they didn’t have to commit for as long
• localisation scheme - Meant recruits would prefer to be fighting for their local county and with their friends, rather than random units
• abolition of purchase system - Meant soldiers would know they would be commanded by experienced officers, promoted by merit and not money

Question 11

Problems with troops in the boer war

Answer 11

Many were underfed and physically weak