Corporal Parsons recruit Depot instructor.
Corporal Parsons inducted two intakes of recruits on Sunday 6th September 2015 at Dragon preparatory School in Oxford.
All recruits underwent an initial introduction in the motivation behind the basic training in 1915. They then went on to explore the issues with recruiting and equipping a large volunteer Army.
Some of the lucky recruits were issued khaki uniforms from the Quartermasters store. Then the initiative’s to try and stem the flow of willing volunteers to the Army in 1915 were explored. Notably the Derby Scheme was discussed and following this a group of the willing volunteers were issued a Derby scheme armband to proudly wear.
Finally those remaining with neither 1907 pattern khaki jackets or Derby scheme armbands donned flat caps to wear in order to top off their entirely civilian attire that they would be forced to wear to conduct their basic training in.
The basic training was progressive and after a period of foot drill all recruits were issued a short magazine lee Enfield rifle to conduct rifle drill with. However, as in 1915 there were all too many shortages and there simply were not enough rifles to go round. Thankfully our allies; the Japanese had shipped 150.000 Arisaka rifles to Great Britain and this was represented by a small number of Corporal Parsons recruits being issued Arisaka rifles to drill with.
After rifle drill all uniforms and equipment were returned to the stores and arms cote, respectively and all of the recruits swore an oath of allegiance to King George V and were handed certificates to acknowledge their efforts.
As the children passed back into the 21st Century following their visit to 1915, they took back with them some valuable lessons as well as having had a great time.
All recruits underwent an initial introduction in the motivation behind the basic training in 1915. They then went on to explore the issues with recruiting and equipping a large volunteer Army.
Some of the lucky recruits were issued khaki uniforms from the Quartermasters store. Then the initiative’s to try and stem the flow of willing volunteers to the Army in 1915 were explored. Notably the Derby Scheme was discussed and following this a group of the willing volunteers were issued a Derby scheme armband to proudly wear.
Finally those remaining with neither 1907 pattern khaki jackets or Derby scheme armbands donned flat caps to wear in order to top off their entirely civilian attire that they would be forced to wear to conduct their basic training in.
The basic training was progressive and after a period of foot drill all recruits were issued a short magazine lee Enfield rifle to conduct rifle drill with. However, as in 1915 there were all too many shortages and there simply were not enough rifles to go round. Thankfully our allies; the Japanese had shipped 150.000 Arisaka rifles to Great Britain and this was represented by a small number of Corporal Parsons recruits being issued Arisaka rifles to drill with.
After rifle drill all uniforms and equipment were returned to the stores and arms cote, respectively and all of the recruits swore an oath of allegiance to King George V and were handed certificates to acknowledge their efforts.
As the children passed back into the 21st Century following their visit to 1915, they took back with them some valuable lessons as well as having had a great time.
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