With the outbreak of war in 1914, Secretary of State for War Lord Kitchener realised that Britain’s small professional army would be no match for the might of Germany in a long drawn out conflict. You should find at … Only a minority were political opponents of the war, and they generally received harsher treatment. 3. They would accept no compromise with the army, would not serve in uniform in a non-combatant role and as a result were imprisoned for two years with hard labour. In conclusion, it will naturally be asked what are the disadvantages of the kilt? Our Podcast: thegreatwar.podigee.io » HOW CAN I SUPPORT YOUR CHANNEL? Now, the kilt being much thicker than trousers, meant that the gas did not penetrate so easily, and when the man stood up the kilt swinging in the air dispelled the gas more easily. "With reference to my experience in France of the kilt as a dress in the Great War, I may say I saw service in the front line area for the best part of three years, both summer and winter. Royal Patron for The Scottish Tartans Authority. Although the act did allow for Conscientious Objection, the so-called ‘Conchies’ or C.O’s were hated by the vast majority of the population. Vital jobs were filled by women, many going out to … At the front, at night, when there was a keen frost the men often had to stand in icy water, but they apparently did not feel the cold more than the rest of their body. With reference to morale, I believe that the association of the kilt with the great deeds of valour on the part of the Highland Regiments, inspires their members. Resources > In one year, the U.S. expanded its military from 300,000 to … Miscellaneous > Again, a very common case of burning was accounted for by men sitting on ground saturated with gas. World War I, World War II and Korean War Casualty Listings By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Search our extensive WWI collections, with more than 40 million names, to see if your ancestors were among those who served in the Great War. Secondly, the great enemy to health is not cold, but wet. At the same time a torn kilt with its pleats was not as serious a problem as a pair of torn pants! The interference of trousers with the free play of the legs is, I think, proved by the number of men who cut their trousers off at the knee.Another point which must be referred to is the case of "mustard gas". 5621230. One often had to wade through water for a certain distance. Home > For the first time, men who could not or would not support Britain’s role in the war were forced into public view. It soon became apparent that this rule excluded many fit and healthy men, and so the Bantam battalions were formed…. At the outbreak of World War One, the height requirement for recruits to the British Army was 5ft 3ins. attacking on the first day, making it the largest concentration of Scots to have fought together. With reference to morale, I believe that the association of the kilt with the great deeds of valour on the part of the Highland Regiments, inspires their members. The Great War. World War I, World War II and Korean War Casualty Listings.