Acclimatization and Training Overseas

Abstract

Immediately upon their arrival on the subcontinent, territorials of the Wessex and Home Counties Divisions realized that the posting involved certain, significant disadvantages. When they had volunteered to go the troops, they had been put on field service rations, but as soon as they arrived in India, they reverted to peacetime pay and rations. This meant that they received a reduced daily food allowance and were liable for increased stoppages of pay.¹ Consequently, the men were soon out of pocket, a situation made worse because the opportunity to earn additional pay as marksmen was made difficult owing to the poor quality of their rifles. When some of the RFA batteries were dismounted and dispersed to outstations, the personnel were reluctantly forced to buy at their own expense items which should have been on issue; officers attending courses did not receive sufficient expenses to cover the hotel bills; and there were inordinate delays in equipping officers’ and NCOs’ messes. Several units were not allowed to maintain their bands, and NCOs promoted after arrival were not paid in their rank until protests awakened the authorities to the issue. Those thought capable of going for a commission were considered to be at a disadvantage compared to their colleagues in the West, and there seemed to be an excessive amount of paperwork for orderly rooms to overcome.² In the same way as newly arrived pre-war regular troops, the territorials took the Kitchener Test but, despite the lower rations, were reported to be filling out, possessing a ‘wonderful keenness’ and committing no crime or drunkenness.