A Soldier Man

Wednesday 7th June 1916: A batch of “Derbys”(1) belonging to a unit raised in Bedford were marching along a country road. One of them was in civilians, not having been fitted out with clothing. They passed a cottage, and the lady of the house, who had evidently seen the VTC(2) pass that way many times, called to her children to come and see the “real soldiers”. The bright little boy of about four spotted the “civie” right away. His remark was “Look mummy, there’s a man among them!”

Source: Bedfordshire Times 9th June 1916

(1) Men who had volunteered for the army under the Derby Scheme.

(2) Volunteer Training Corps