NEW ARMY

Evening Star, Issue 23326, 24 July 1939, Page 10

NEW ARMY

30,000 REPORT IN BRITAIN SPIRIT OF ENTHUSIASM LONDON. July 16. “ A milestone in the story of .Umpire,” was how the Secretary of State for War described the assembling of Britain’s new Army when the first 30.000 militiamen, called up under the Military Training Act, reached barracks and depots throughout the country. The men who have been called up are aged between 20 and 21, and have been popularly, termed “ the. boys of the new brigade.” Addressing men near, Guildford. Mr Hore-Belisha said : “ For yon and the country this is an historic day.” This set the tone of enthusiasm with which the event was hailed throughout the notion. The men, who were due to report before midnight, began, to arrive from early morning on foot, on cycles, and by trains. Some' arrived in expensive cars. The early arrival of many men enabled many units to be completed before midday. The newspapers are full of enthusiastic comments by Army chiefs, officers, and non-commissioned officers on the fine bearing and spirit of the men. A typical remark by a militiaman was: “ I do not mind being called np. It will do me good.” The first day seemed to be almost wholly devoted to demonstrating the new principle of painless soldiering. Officers snowed a very friendly spirit, and all non-commissioned officers who were detailed to receive the newcomers and help them to “ shake down ” were chosen for their tact. They_ helped the recruits to arrange their kits, showed them round, and took them in to lunch. The real job of making soldiers of the men will begin to-morrow, but this must be done " with kid gloves,” according to the instructions, which forbid bullying, rudeness, and sarcasm.