Wednesday, 28 October 2015

Poem ~ 'Unstarred Recruits' - Thursday, 28 October 1915



Impression sketch of Derby Scheme Armband - by Jamie. Taken from original at: http://www.photodetective.co.uk/Derby-scheme.html

Reactions started to arrive at the feet
Of the Earl of Derby Director General,
Regarding new methods of recruitment -
Employers and 'unstarred' men alike,
Posted him letters in their hundreds.

All those with issues over personal
Positions to be informed by news media,
The impossibility to respond to each
Case - which would all be considered,
On merits by local appeal committees.

With such panels in process of being
Formed, would be provided with those
Principles that would guide decisions -
All men affected would then need to go
Via tribunals to declare their own case.

Duty of all citizens of the British empire
Had to be aware the scheme's success,
Became dependent on those obligations -
By the youngest unmarried men called
To serve the country in their willingness.

The impartiality of these tribunals would
Hear each man's case and any difficulties;
The Parliamentary and joint Labour
Recruiting committee's tact and discreet
Methods, would ensure success of scheme.

From date of Thursday 28 October 1915,
The recruit groups would begin - those
Men who already wanted to join colours
Would be taken - such was promises of
Earl of Derby, Recruiting Director General.

by Jamie Mann.




Anon.,1915. New Campaign for Recruits - 'Unstarred' Men - Committees of Appeal. The Daily Telegraph, [online] 27 October. P.10. Col.3. Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11946108/Daily-Telegraph-October-27-1915.html [Accessed: 28 October 2015].

Mann, J., 2015. 100 years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal communication, 28 October 2015). 



#WW1 #WW1centenary #GreatWar #WW1poem #GreatWar #WW1centenary #worldwarone #worldwaroneremembered #WW1Britian

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