Question re Brits Marching (1 Viewer)

[Al Fisher]

I notice that models of British soldiers marching show two positions for the right arm; either swung fairly low or almost to shoulder height. Assuming both are correct, when/why is the arm swing high or low? Is it a functional thing (ie, review order vs route march) or what? Not sure if I've worded this well, but hope you understand.

Bosun Al

 

[Martin Tabony]

"Swing your arms shoulder high or I'll rip it off and hit you with the ---- soggy end" As a certain Scots Guard Lance Sergeant was fond of shouting to us "Crows" Not to mention "neck in the back of the collar" and dig those heels in" ^&grin

If you look back at old drill manuals like some of us sad people do! You'll see that swinging the arm shoulder high is quite a modern thing that I believe began after WW2. With a large army of men, most doing national service. It is my belief that "square bashing" was just one of the ways to keep them busy! Most units march at a nice steady 120 beats to the minute, so swinging shoulder high and then as far back as possible is easy. Sometimes you can even add a bit of "Bollo" by moving the arm in a figure 8 or rocking your shoulders! ^&grin Rifle and Light infantry regiments march at 160 beats, so at that speed they swing their arms to the level of their waist belts. While marching in full combat kit we hardly swung our arms at all as it was impractical.

If you look back at Victorian drill, it was still based on the need to move a body of men across a battle field. Obviously digging in you heels and swinging your arms isn't a very good idea over broken ground.
Compair thes two 2015 and 1900

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dz7_WFkp3wo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zZUJ_WhFsw

 

[Al Fisher]

Thanks Martin . . . was hoping you'd answer with your usual historical notes and wry comments. I can now go back to assembling my troops in confidence that I've got it right. (Hope this notice makes sense as I had cataract surgery this morning and can hardly read the keyboard.)

Bosun Al

 

[trooper]

There is also the difference between marching at attention and marching at ease. When we were on marches we could relax somewhat in open country but as soon as we approached an inhabited area we were called to "march at attention" accompanied by the usual barks from the sergeants. "Come on. Bags of swank. Show the civvies what they pay taxes for" etc. Trooper

 

[johnnybach]

There is also the difference between marching at attention and marching at ease. When we were on marches we could relax somewhat in open country but as soon as we approached an inhabited area we were called to "march at attention" accompanied by the usual barks from the sergeants. "Come on. Bags of swank. Show the civvies what they pay taxes for" etc. Trooper

By Gad Sir! I'll bet there was some Brylcream flying about the boys on days like that!!! Marching along in open country with "bags of swank" eh???

By Gad Sir!! Well done the RAF............jb:salute::

 

[trooper]

By Gad Sir! I'll bet there was some Brylcream flying about the boys on days like that!!! Marching along in open country with "bags of swank" eh???

By Gad Sir!! Well done the RAF............jb:salute::

You may mock, my little ferrety friend, but it wasn't just the pongoes who had it hard. I well remember one march when we didn't get roast swan on our lunch break and had to make do with pheasant and partridge. AND no finger bowls!! There was nearly a mutiny on that occasion. Hard times, Johno, hard times. Trooper

 

[johnnybach]

You may mock, my little ferrety friend, but it wasn't just the pongoes who had it hard. I well remember one march when we didn't get roast swan on our lunch break and had to make do with pheasant and partridge. AND no finger bowls!! There was nearly a mutiny on that occasion. Hard times, Johno, hard times. Trooper

I was living in a field once, in Southern England - on a big exercise - being "fed" with Compo Stew (when the cooks were sober enough to remember to light the fire) - and was very fortunately sent with three lads, to a RAF camp in South West England. Our task was to provide a radio-link to RAF aircraft coming in with air-drops. I was to stay there until relieved - and provide a 24 hour radio link.

We were sited at the end of the runway - about a mile from the main camp - which had an RAF cookhouse. Thinking quickly - and being a sergeant by this time - I spotted a shed close to where we were sited - with a very flimsy lock on the door. The door swiftly opened to reveal large parachutes which were used to suspend stores etc from. We quickly de-mounted the radio and batteries into the shed - which became our radio-shack (and also doubled as comfy sleeping accomodation at night) - and used the vehicle to shuttle two guys at a time to the Airman's cookhouse for meals. My stripes were easily removed - and I became an honorary Signalman for mealtimes!

I have to tell you - that the food we ate - and our surroundings were the best I have ever experienced in ANY service cookhouse EVER. They even had tablecloths and proper cutlery - so the spoon in the pocket ( which we all carried) became redundant! We even had cups and saucers on the table!!!! In the Airman's Mess!!! Ye Gods!{sm2}

I have to tell you - the ordinary RAF cooks were OUTSTANDING, and we ate like Kings - which was all the better after being fed on slop prviously for weeks on end. I've never forgotten that experience - and have had a soft spot for the Brylcream boys, ever since. We were heartbroken when we were eventually relieved - and had to go back to our original site, delaying our return journey by feigning vehicle trouble. However, when we explained to the RAF corporal cook what we had to go back to - we each left with a large Steak Sandwich wrapped in greaseproof paper!!!

Tally-ho! - old sport!:salute:: jb