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Portrayals of the British Militia, 1852–1916

Bennett, Mark

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Authors

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Mark Bennett mark.bennett@durham.ac.uk
PGR Student Doctor of Philosophy



Abstract

This article explores how perceived inefficiencies and inadequacies in the militia were reflected in contemporary works of fiction and satire. The militia's public image was consistently poor: half-trained battalions, staffed by inefficient senior officers, chronically short of subalterns and recruiting from the very worst elements of the working class. It suffered from the combined flaws of both regulars and volunteers, but was unable to benefit from either the Christian ‘civilizing mission’ of the former or the earnest patriotic enthusiasm of the latter. This negative image contributed to the ease with which the force was abolished after the Boer War.

Citation

Bennett, M. (2018). Portrayals of the British Militia, 1852–1916. Historical Research, 91(252), 333-352. https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-2281.12220

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Dec 16, 2016
Online Publication Date Mar 7, 2018
Publication Date May 1, 2018
Deposit Date Jan 18, 2016
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal Historical Research
Print ISSN 0950-3471
Electronic ISSN 1468-2281
Publisher Oxford University Press
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 91
Issue 252
Pages 333-352
DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-2281.12220

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Accepted Journal Article (658 Kb)
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Copyright Statement
This is the accepted version of the following article: Bennett, Mark (2018). Portrayals of the British Militia, 11852–1916. Historical Research, 91(252): 333-352, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-2281.12220. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance With Wiley Terms and Conditions for self-archiving.




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