Soldiers reflect on their army

Press, 22 February 1986, Page 20

Soldiers reflect on their army

Soldier, Soldier. By Tony Parker. Heinemann, 1985. 244 pp. $21.95. (Reviewed by Major Michael Wicksteed)

When matters military are close to the thoughts of New Zealanders, the publication of this book on the thoughts of the British soldier about his Army is timely. This is a “warts and all” effort of amazing contrasts where unexpected comment abounds. Above all it is an honest book, free from any preconception about soldiers and the army. This honesty is reinforced by the fact that its author is an avowed pacifist and was a conscientious objector during the Second World War. Tony Parker was thus something of a Daniel in a lions’ den. Happily in the case of "Soldier, Soldier” coexistence between Parker and the Army also proved possible. In a display of confidence, Britain’s Ministry of Defence provided Parker with almost unlimited facilities to spend 18 months interviewing officers, men and their wives, belonging to an infantry regiment, on their thoughts about all aspects of the British Army. He travelled the world from Belize to Cyprus, Germany to Northern Ireland, tape-recording hundreds of hours of

conversation with some 180 soldiers and their wives.

To a New Zealander evidence of the strict rank-consciousness that still permeates the British Army might seem a little unsettling. It appears in the almost universal contempt shown by junior soldiers for their young officers, and in a dislike bordering on a hatred that many soldiers and their N.C.O.S held for one of the regimental sergeant majors. This is contrasted by the regard and faith expressed by middle-ranking and senior officers for their N.C.O.S and soldiers. The problems faced by the wives of soldiers of all ranks are almost overpowering. Absences of soldierhusbands on duty, exercises or courses for over six months each year seem to be common. Similar problems are faced by their New Zealand counterparts, but are nowhere as extreme. However, one soon becomes aware that the British Tommy of today is no longer the unthinking automaton of old. All those interviewed showed a high measure of self-awareness, if not necessarily a corresponding ability to clearly elucidate their thoughts. And the book does highlight the fact

that there are still extremes within the British Army. Disparities of rank,

class, pay, and education abound in what finally becomes an almost expected pattern as one proceeds through “Soldier, Soldier.” This is not to criticise the British Army however. History as recent as the 1982 Falklands War, and the continuing operations of the Army in Northern Ireland, show it has developed a system that works well when tested in combat And, unfortunately, in the final analysis that is what an army is all about. The rigid traditional structure would probably not work for the New i Zealand Army, where an egalitarian notion that Jack is as good as his master has tended to hold sway since the arrival of the early settlers. Traditionally our officers and N.C.O.S have had to prove themselves to their men before gaining their respect, without which effective command is almost impossible. But who knows? Would that someone in New Zealand, with Tony Parker’s gift for empathy and social observation, might carry out a similar study among the soldiers and wives of our own Army.