The considerable number of troops already billeted in Bournemouth was today augmented by over 3,000 more men of Kitcheners Army.
The East and North Lancashire Regiments have already taken up their quarters in the town.
This morning the first train to arrive contained a section of the 8th Border Regiment which was followed later by another section of the same force, the 8th Lancashire and the 11th Cheshire. These troops, with those which arrived yesterday, form half of the division to be billeted in Boscombe (those roads between Knole and Gloucester roads), Springbourne and Malmesbury Park districts.
The completest arrangements have been made in each instance, and within a very short time of their arrival the soldiers have been shown to their respective billets. As was the case yesterday the men journeyed from the Codford Camp in Great Western specials, the troops embarking at Wiley, a station some two or three miles from their training ground.
Except for the officers and an odd khaki uniform, the men are all attired in blue uniform and cap.
Not even their boots relive the monotony of likeness as most of the men having during the past week or two known what it is to wade through a quagmire at least ankle deep.
It is not a little remarkable that the ranks are made up of men from nearly every branch of industrial and professional life. It would be little suspected that among these men, whom the condition of military life have made to look so much alike, in such a short time, are bank and other clerks, school teachers, municipal employees and others engaged in a professional capacity.
Yet it is a fact that men of the latter grades are training side by side with the miner and the labourer.
There has not yet been a decided preponderance of any one trade or occupation represented among the ranks. The border regiments especially are stated by officers to comprise some very fine soldiers of the type which is but seldom forthcoming in peace times.
The Troops arriving this morning were amongst some of the best now training all over the country.
Some of their men are known to have cheerfully given up situations which meant to them pounds a week in some cases and likewise their comrades the miner and the labourer have foregone their 7s. A day for a seventh of that sum.
The border regiment embraces men from numerous counties in the extreme-north of England where conditions are in such striking contrast with the south.
A good many of the working-class soldiers have never been so far before, nor is it likely they would have been but in such extraordinary circumstances as the present.
Tomorrow’s arrivals will largely consist of men whose occupations are largely centred in the Welsh minefields. A good many of tomorrow’s arrivals who will be quartered in the Winton district are stated to speak the language of the principality only.
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