Saturday, 10 July 2010

Brainstorming: "The Case of the Army truly stated"

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It may be worth bearing in mind the following stats when trying to determine the dynamics of how individuals and units within the British Army would behave in any internal political crisis:

The military population of Britain including wives and children was 230,000. Of 43,000 married quarters 1/3rd were in Aldershot, Catterick, Colchester or Bulford/Tidworth, the other 2/3rds distributed across 160 towns in the UK. Only the Parachute Regiment and Household Division retained permanent established garrison bases with permanent married quarters.

After the 1977 report on pay, the increase in rents and food charges "created great bitterness and a deep mistrust of the Government" (quote: House of Commons).  8,000 Army families received Social Security benefits to prevent them falling below the breadline. 908 Army officers applied for premature voluntary release in 1977–78. Some 4,643 men left the Army prematurely at their own request during that same period.

Almost 50% of private soldiers were recruited from the industrial North-East of England and Scotland, but only 15% serving in regular regiments were based there. Only 3% (average) of the British Army were registered voters.



Cheers
Mark
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4 comments:

  1. Master Chef10 July 2010 at 15:07

    So, Mark, from that I deduce that the British Army in 79 was probably not happy with Govt (any govt) by civilians who chopped pay and prospects. That they were scattered around like DPM islands in a sea of denim - many with a number of wives and kids in tow, and that apart from the Guards and Para's (and possibly Marines down in Devon) very few would have had strong ties to the local town?
    So, their loyalty would be to themselves and their mates first and formost, there was a strong them and us mentality - vs the civilians and the Govt of the day? Thus, if influential and respected senior officers wanted to, the military could be led into, well.....a coup? The New Model Army strikes again?

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  2. Mark10 July 2010 at 21:26

    Good summary Maff.

    The only fly in the ointment for our purposes comes from some further research. The Armed Forces received a pay award in April 1979 (Labour government) and a second under the incoming Conservative government in May 1979.

    Was this enough to redress the balance? I think we may be in the same ballpark with 'Olivers Army' mate.....

    Cheers
    Mark

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  3. sapperjoe17 July 2010 at 16:32

    Hello!

    I am wondering if you might have any information on the % of the ethic breakdown of the army for around this period? I would like to paint up my figures with a similar % breakdown, as I don't want to only have white soldiers, but I don't know how many African descent or others to mix in with the lot.

    Thanks,

    Joe

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  4. Mark21 October 2010 at 23:16

    Hi Joe

    The answer is, not a lot. These might explain why:

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4143811.stm

    http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article1494976.ece

    Cheers
    Mark

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