WEEDING OUT THE UNFIT

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2765, 8 May 1916, Page 6

WEEDING OUT THE UNFIT

LOBD FRENCH AND THE HOME ' I ■.' . ■ FOKCES. "Only fit men wanted," was' one of the i earliest of recruiting posters, and no poster was more shabbily treated in the scramble for recruits last year (says the "Daily Mail"). Energetic recruiters-and overworked doctors passed into the Army as fit a' collection of men of all age-s suffering sometimes from latent complaints, and occasionally from very evident defects. Most of these men irsro discovered, in training, .and failed to pass "fit for foreign service." Others slipped through, and wej-a not discovered until trench life sent them homo again. One arid all were kept in khaki long., after their unfitness for active service was made 'known by medical reports. ' Since. Lord French returned from France to take over the command of the Home Forces the unfit men have been released, greatly to the relief of themselves and their commanding officers. The field-mar-shal is said to have a theory that if tho Germans ever do land in Britain h 6 will want troops at least as good as those sent here. The new General Officer Commanding tho Home Forces is going through the Home Forces with extraordinary care and thoroughness. Every week he inspects new battalions and divisions. Before inspection • the men aro thoroughly re-am- • ined by (he regimental doctors, mindful of past complaints by company officers. Every unfit man. is noted and subjected to close inspection. All who cannot pass the combined medical and regimental test aro sent home. To assist the field-marshal in his efforts to purge the Home Forces of unfit men an important medical council has been formed, composed of medical officers of high rank, who have seen more than twelve months' service in the field This is the final court of appeal for the unfit Ihose who escat* its close and scientific examination will I>9 few indeed