The Spectator at war: A voice from the ranks

From ‘A Voice from the Ranks’, The Spectator, 17 July 1915:

[To THE EDITOR OF THE “SPECTATOR.”]

Sir,—Having served in the ranks since August, allow me to say a word about “National Military Service” and the “Drink” problem. On the grounds of equity and right, the flower of our British manhood—that manhood which is now serving with the colours—cries out for National Military Service throughout the Empire. We of the rank-and-file also see for ourselves the wonderful physical development which takes place in a lad after some two or three months of military training. We note the clearer eye, the more sprightly step, we notice the “glory ” of a man—namely, his physical strength developed to a very wonderful degree under our present conditions of military service; a service which gives to a man the very best form of freedom that a man can possess, the freedom of a