ARMY CONTRASTS.

Waikato Times, Volume 103, Issue 17385, 23 April 1928, Page 8

ARMY CONTRASTS.

IN THE “GOOD OLD DAYS." DESERTERS WORKED IN CHAINS. Soldiering in the “good old days” contrasted strangely with present-day service conditions, if one may judge by the revelations being published by the Society of Army Historical Research, which - is delving into ancient documents and records preserved at the British War Office. Even (he “Iron Duke” was shocked to discover that certain commanding officers were in the habit of sending petty offenders for seven days to the “Black Hole,” where they were deprived of all light, frctsli air, and sanitary amenities, and in a general order, issued from the Horse Guards, he says, “These practices are reprehensible, and are strictly forbidden.” Deserters received no mercy, and, after being flogged, they were compelled to work in chains, on roadmending. Before they could he received back into the ranks they were paraded before their regiment, and •the colours were waved over their heads to show that they had purged Ihoir offence. 'Jfl, however, they deserted again, they received a double dose of Hie "cat” and were banished tn ihc Corps of Infantry stationed on dlic West Coast of Africa, which must have been equivalent to sentence of death. Slackers and wasters who brought discredit on their units by their lack of smartness were dealt with by their comrades, with the approval of the officers, instead of being tried by court martial. This led to abuse, and a cavalryman at Sheffield was so severely injured that he afterwards brought an action against his officers for permitting this wild justice, and recovered £SOO damages at York Assizes. Nor did the Punishment of the Officers end there, for the old Duke of Wellington took occasion to reprimand the officers personally, and in terms which leave no doubt as to his feelings in the matter. Extravagance and needless expense in the officers’ mess seem to have caused uneasiness among the authorities more than a century ago. and an order was issued to colonels that the standard of living must he kept “with- j in the compass of an ensign’s pay. ’ How completely Ibis order was •ignoied became evident some twontv \cais ago, when a series of ragging scandals showed that a poor man could not hope to remain in a smart regiment owing to the pace set by ids wealthier comrades. , . , . It was not until Lord Roberts took the matter in hand seriously that the abuse was removed. The devotion of the Guards at Waterloo is so well known that it js a painful surprise to learn that ‘a corpora. l , of Die Guards stationed in Ilougoumonl, having left his regiment, passed 'through the 95th mi his way to the rear. He was neft wounded, and assigned no reason for leaving his corps, but said the enemy had captured the chateau and all was lost. The 95th realised that his report was false, and gave him a good booting. This’ term “booting” frequently occurs in ancient records of summary punishment, and it 'took various forms of castigation. Sometimes offenders were compelled to swallow salt water and other nauseating fluids, besides being obliged to wear their jackets inside out.. Those methods were specially prevalent in Highland regiments, the Black Watch being specifically mentioned in that connection.