BRITAIN'S LAND FORCES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 154, 5 August 1914, Page 8

BRITAIN'S LAND FORCES.

DETAILS OF THE TROOPS. The land forces of the United Kingdom consist of the Eegular Army and of the Territorial Army. Of these, a large part of the Eegular Army serves in British Dominions oversea, and it is to refer to these troops as the "British Army," in contradistinction to the "Native Army" or the "Indian Army" in India and to the "Local Forces' [ in South Africa and in British colonies. The Eegular Army, whether at Home or abroad, is paid for by the Imperial Exchequer, except in India (although certain colonies pay contributions towards its upkeep); India'pays a contribution towards the cost of troops at Home owing to these serving as a depot for the regular troops in India. The Territorial Army serves only at Home in peace time. The rank and file for both Eegular Army and Territorial Army are obtained by voluntary enlistment. Cavalry and infantry are armed with the Lee-Enfield rifle, calibre .303. The Eegular Army has a 13-pounder for horse artillery, and an 18-pounder for field artillery, a 40-pounder field Howitzer, and a 60-pounder for heavy battfirics. ■? The establishment of the land forces, for the financial year. 1912-13 was fixed as follows (the number of effectives of all ranks on January 1, 1912, are also given) : —• Establishments. Effectives. 1912-13. Jan. 1, 'l2. Regular forces, Home and colonial .. .. 172,082 167,354 j Colonial and Native I Indian troops ... 8,871 8,801 Army Reserve .. .. 139,000 137,682 Special Reserve .. 89,913 61,951 Militia Reserve ..• .. 150 171 Militia (U.K.) .. .. Channel Islands Militia 3,166 3,113 Malta and Bermuda Militia 2,894 2,682 Territorial Army .. 316,307 268,414 Jsle of Man Volunteers 126 112 Officers' Training Corps 1,008 708 Total .... 733,517 652,434 British troops serving in India 75,886 77,557 Grand total .. 809,403 729,991 In the case of the permanently embodied troops, the regimental establishment for' 1912-13 was fixed at 134,280 at Home, and (excluding, specially enlisted colonial corps,and native Indian troops paid for by the Imperial Exchequer) 36,829 in South Africa and the colonies;' this leaves staff and various establishments out of account. It should be noted that the Special Eeserve and the Territorial Army are considerably below establishment. The following table shows the numbers borne on the establishment of the Eegular Army for the year 1912-13: — N.C.O's, Branches of drummers, Rank the Service. Officers, etc. and file. Total. Staff and departments .. 984 133 11 1,128 Regimental establishments — Cavalry . . 546 1,330 12,878 14,754 Horse & Field Artillery .. 728 1,541 16,916 19,185 Gai\ Artillery 604 1,499 11,804 13,907 Engineers . . 709 i.517 7,592 9,818 Infantry . . 3,436 9,622 85,021 96,079 Armv Service Corps . . 455 1,245 4,887 6,537 Army Medical Corps .. 683 585 3,632 4,630 Colonial and Native Indian Corps 302 568" 8,001 8,871 Departmental Corps ... 335 1,416 1,526 3,322 ' 'Additional numbers" 10 Total . . 7,808 19,409 153,576 180,953 ! Staff of Terri- | torial force. . 629 2,401 8 3,038/ Miscellaneous establishments 379 826. . 276 1,481; Gnd. total 9,800 22,769 154,031 186,600 The total estimated cost of the Army (exclusive of India) in the yeaT 1912-13 was £27,860r,000,. of which £3,905,0,00 was for non-effective-services.