Reference
X345/1
Title
Enlisting in the Army
Date free text
11 Nov 1877
Production date
From: 1877 To: 1877
Scope and Content
You will be sad when you here I have listed in the Army. I can't make it out how it was I left Hitchin, but I must have been a fool. I am in the infantry, 41 regiment, 24 brigade. When I got to London I did think about joining the Navy, I asked a police the way to Westminster. He said "Come and list in something better", so the sargent give me 1s. at St George's barracks, so I come to London on the 3rd and listed and pased the doctor all before 12 o'clock on Sunday 4th. I went to Woolwich by water, got back about 8 o'clock on the 5th, I went to Bow Street police court and was sworn in on the 6th. On the 7th I pased the colonel, on the 8th I left London about 2 o'clock, and got to Bristol about 6 o'clock, and stayed at the barracks all night, and on the 9th I started for Cardiff, got there about dinner time and was measured for our clothes, and I had mine the next day; then had to pass another doctor and another colonel. I have joined what they call short service; that is 6 years in the army and 6 reserve. We expect they are going to send 60 or 70 of us to Aldershot next Tuesday. I have black trousers with a red stripe down them and no waistcoat but a jacket, red with white facing on it, with a crow[n] each side of the neck and "regt. 41" on each shoulder, and a white belt, and top coat and cape. I will tell you about the food: breakfast, bread and coffee; for dinner, meat and potatoes; tea, bread and tea; straw bed and pillow, 2 blankets and 2 sheets - it makes me think about your good beds. Don't break your hearts about me - I fancy I could here you praying for me. I meet with rather a good young man, we went to chapel together this morning, and in the chapel I saw the ten commandments which I did learn at school, and see the 5 "Honner thy father and mother", and I thought I had not done so, but hope I may do better.
Level of description
item