A record of the Sportsman's Battalions during the First World War, including a database of soldiers who enlisted in - or served with - the 23rd, 24th and 30th Royal Fusiliers, originally raised by Mrs. Emma Cunliffe-Owen in September 1914. If you have any questions or comments, please send to fmsketches@macbrem.com, thanks!

September 15, 1914

Springfield Missouri Republican – published October 1, 1914

MEN 40 TO 45 FORM ENGLISH BATTALION

Sportsmen Organizing with Men Who Are Hunters, Golfers, and So On.

(Correspondence of The Associated Press).

LONDON, Sept. 15. – War enthusiasm has caused all manner of military organizations to spring into being, among them the sportsmen’s battalion of 1300 members which Edward Cunlliffe-Owen, the twenty-third descendant of King Edward III., is engaged in forming.

It is to be exclusively made up of men of gentle birth between the ages of forty and forty-five – men whose habits and associations are so firmly fixed that they would not feel home with youngsters. Fox hunters, trained to the horse and daring, stand highest on the list of those invited to join. Grouse shooters, hardened by long tramps over the moors and quick with the gun, are strong rivals. But even the confirmed golfer is in demand, for golfing implies a cool head and steady nerves.

Some of the recruits have given funds and placed their motor cars at the disposal of the battalion. As soon as the command is pronounced ready for service by the war office, it will be attached to a line regiment and sent to the front.

No comments :

Post a Comment