Topic: British Army
British Army; Personnel Statistics, 1882
"Military Matters," The Toronto Daily Mail, 28 January 1882
Thus the average British soldier is about 23 years of age, about 5 ft. 7 in. in height, and about 37 in. round the chest.
The last general annual return of the British Army has been issued, and contains a great deal of interesting information on many points affecting the military efficiency of the Empire. It shows that the average strength of the regular forces, officers and men, during the year was 188,986, of whom 7,817 were officers, 12,431 sergeants and farriers, 3,472 trumpeters, drummers, and buglers, and 165,266 rank and file.
On the 1st of January, 1880, the number of the rank and files was 167,909, or 3,794 over the establishment; while on the corresponding day of the present year it was 165,320, or 397 over the establishment. The numbers voted (rank and file) of each arm of the service on the latter day were: —
- Household Cavalry, 1,029
- Cavalry of the Line, 13,592
- Royal Horse Artillery, 4,827
- Royal Artillery, 25,473
- Royal Engineers, 4,053
- Foot Guards, 5,250
- Infantry of the Line, 104,460
- Colonial Corps, 2,146
– the remainder being the Departmental Army Service and Army Hospital Corps.
Regarding the question of the age of men joining the army, it appears that 1,021 were under 17 and 156 between 17 and 18 years of age. In both cases they were probably for the bands. Those joining: —
- from 18 to 19 years numbered 6,611;
- from 19 to 20, 5,510;
- from 20 to 21, 3,667;
- from 21 to 22, 2,525;
- from 22 to 23, 2,081;
- from 23 to 24, 1,785;
- from 24 to 25, 1,968;
– while a few — 289 — were enlisted over 25.
Regarding the height of the men, the numbers are: —
- Under 5 ft. 5 in., 9,360;
- 5 ft., 6 in., 24,756;
- 5 ft., 7 in., 37,033;
- 5 ft., 8 in., 37,389;
- 5 ft., 9 in., 29,806;
Then the numbers fall off considerably, until only 3,502 are left at 6 ft. and upwards.
In the point of chest measurement in inches there are: —
- 3,192 under 33 in.;
- 5,819 from that to 34 in.;
- 20,082 from that to 35 in.;
- 32,599 from that to 36 in.;
- 40,348 from that to 37 in.;
– after which a progressive fall takes place and only 7,373 are described as over 40 in.
Thus the average British soldier is about 23 years of age, about 5 ft. 7 in. in height, and about 37 in. round the chest.
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