TERRITORIAL ARMY

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 300, 15 September 1936, Page 9

TERRITORIAL ARMY

» More Recruits in Britain (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, September 12.* During the live months April to August, 1936, the intake of recruits into the Territorial Army was 20,082 compared with 12,526 during the same period last year, an increase of 60.3 per cent, 45,000 VACANCIES Recruiting Figures Better The total number of recruits who joined the British Territorial Army in May was the highest for any month during the previous 11 years and exceeded by about 2000 the number who joined in May, 1935. Detailed figures showing the enlistments in different parts of the country again show that, fhe intake of recruits is highest in the remoter parts of the country and lowest in the most densely populated cities, with London at the foot of the list, stated “The Times” recently. General Sir Walter Kirke, DirectorGeneral of the Territorial Army, said that recent figures were encouraging. He did not consider that they were due solely, or even mainly, to the increased bounty, but rather to an increasing appreciation of the seriousness of the situation in which the Territorial Army found itself. For placing the facts before the public the Territorial Army had to thank the Press. As a . regular soldier he felt that no praise was too high for the men of all professions, trades and classes, who had carried on in most discouraging circumstances. Though progress was encouraging, they were still short of over 2000 officers and 43,000 men. He was glad to acknowledge the high standard of public duty which was being displayed by many corporations and leading employers. Many more were, he knew, considering how best they could join in this patriotic movement. If they could visit their employees toward the end f camp, they would feel rewarded by the glow of health on sun-browned cheeks and the knowledge that their men would return to work with renewed loyalty, energy and zest. Sir Walter Kirke had visited Territorial battalions in camp and had been greatly impressed with the fine quality of the men. In one camp, he said, he noticed with great satisfaction that the hospital work had been voluntarily undertaken by women of the V.A.D In Finland, the country with an organisation most nearly comparable with the British Territorial Army, women took a very prominent part in many of its activities, and he felt that if the same could be done in Britain it would do a great deal to help forward recruiting.