BRITAIN'S MILITIA.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 190, 14 August 1939, Page 6

BRITAIN'S MILITIA.

THE FIRST 30,000.

The first 34.000 of the 200.000 young Englishmen of 20 years of age who registered in June reported on July 15 for their six months' military training. English newspapers of that day gave prominence to the news of this '"rally of youth," and to the good impression made by the physique of the new recruits. The boys of the Xew Brigade will find themselves in a Xew Army (said the Sunday '"Observer"). They will find instructors schooled into avoiding any suggestion of the music-hall sergeant-major style. "Xo rudeness. bullying or sarcasm" are the instructors' special orders. Employment of militiamen on fatigue will be restricted as far a« practicable.

Every care will be taken for the physical and spiritual well-being of the young men. They will have extensive facilities for sport, recreation and social activities, including the provision of a. sports kit (which they can keep after service), and a "walking-out" kit of natty blue and grey. a Specialist Training. With the first two months' training completed they will be provisionally graded into three categories—'those who have shown special aptitude and character will be recommended to complete their last two months' training at a Junior Leaders' Wing; those qualified will continue their training as specialists, and others will continue their training as gunners, sappers, etc. Generally, the commanding officers all over (he country told the recruits that in the militia ignorance of regulations would not lie regarded as a crime. Militiamen who did not understand would be acting foolishly, because there were non-commissioned officers and officers anxious, to help them in every way possible. The 1.50 militiamen who reported for duty at the Peninsula Barracks, Warrington, the depot of the South Lancashire Regiment, are to have a special six-course dinner cooked and served to them once a week by Sergeant Shaw, the depot cook, whose team of cooks won the second prize in the Army cookery competition at Aldershot. The menu for the special dinner comprises: Hors d'oeuvres, tomato soup, fried fillets of fish, roast joint, new or roast potatoes, green peas, jelly and blancmange, tea or coffee. When one man who accompanied hie son, who was reporting for service, saw the food l>eing prepared for the militiamen's first meal, he said: "They are getting better food than I do."