King's Own Royal Regiment Museum

Lancaster

HOME
Museum & Collections
Sales
Donations
Events
Contact Us

REGIMENTAL HISTORY
17th Century
18th Century
19th Century
20th Century
First World War
Second World War
Actions & Movements
Battle Honours

FAMILY HISTORY
Resources
Further Reading

PHOTO GALLERY
ENQUIRIES
FURTHER READING
LINKS

© Images are copyright, Trustees of the King's Own Royal Regiment Museum.
 You must seek permission prior to publication of any of our images.


Museum Display Information

Army Education

In the 17th and 18th Centuries the majority of soldiers were thought to need no form of education at all. All they needed to know was how to follow orders. Even in the mid 19th Century there was a fear that if soldiers became educated they would question orders and discipline could break down. The education of soldiers took second place to the education of soldiers’ families. Emphasis was placed upon schools for children rather than for the soldiers themselves. A soldier could attend the school along with the children if he wished - but not many did since they had to pay for the privilege!

Regimental Schools were began appearing from 1812 and men who attended were excused evening parade. Gradually more and more time was allowed for study as this was seen as an important way of preparing promotion.

In 1846 the Corps of Army Schoolmasters was established, and in 1860 the Council of Military Education took control of all army schools and libraries. They also introduced the Army Certificates of Education, which were needed if a soldier wanted promotion.

In 1877 about half of the serving soldiers had received some form of certificate. Two years later all soldiers were required to attend school. From 1890 a soldier could not draw his full proficiency pay until he had gained a 3rd Class Certificate of Education. The civilian Education Act of 1870 meant that far more soldiers joining the army had receive some form of elementary education.

By 1912 about 85% of other ranks had received some form of education. Some NCOs became teachers, assisting the schoolmaster. They were known as 'Soldier Assistants'

During the First World War many schools of instruction were formed. They covered topics such as gunnery, bombing, bayonet fighting, trench mortars, gas technique, mining, cooking and sanitation. After the peace in November 1918 the platoon commanders of the 1/4th and 1/5th Battalions held classes to equip men for civilian work and life. They were taught English, geography and elementary French amongst other things. With the coming General Election the 1/5th Battalion organised a lecture on 'How to Record Your Vote'. There was a holiday from school on 14th December when companies were marched to the polling booths in the chateau. The wartime coalition government was returned to power.

In 1931 an Educational Training Manual was issued and greater attention was given to the needs of the general education of soldiers. This in turn improved the chances of a soldier receiving civilian employment at the end of his military service.

From 1942 the Army Council permitted three hours of education each week - the first hour to train the man as a citizen, the second to train a man as a soldier and the third as an individual. In 1945 the army introduced a major education scheme, for all demobilised soldiers. Instruction was given in a wide range of subjects and skills. Men of the 107th Royal Armoured Corps (The King's Own) were taught up to 20 subjects in what was known as 'The King's Own College'.

Army Certificates of Education 1930s

Third Class

bulletArithmetic Vulgar Fractions
bulletElementary Geometry
bulletPractical Measurement
bulletApplications of Money
bulletEnglish

Second Class

bulletMore Advanced Maths
bulletEssay writing
bulletQuestions on a set book
bulletWritten and practical map reading
bulletPaper on the Army and Empire

This paper was now compulsory for all soldiers and they had to attend school until they passed it. Without the Second Class Certificate no promotion was possible or proficiency pay paid.

First Class

Covered everything in the Second Class Certificate but at a higher level, and including Geography.
Still essential for higher promotion above the rank of Sergeant.

Army Special Certificate

This was at the highest level, with advanced papers on a wide range of subjects. Specialist subjects such as theory of music and musical history were undertaken by Bandmasters.

The King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment in 1882

Out of a total of 518 Other Ranks, 416 held Certificates of Education, 80% of the total.

First Class 2  
Second Class 82 15%
Third Class 114 22%
Fourth Class 218 42%

Only one other regiment approached this standard. In the majority of regiments less than 50% of the men held certificates.

 

 

© Images are copyright, Trustees of the King's Own Royal Regiment Museum.
 You must seek permission prior to publication of any of our images.

Only a proportion of our collections are on display at anyone time.  Certain items are on loan for display in other institutions.  An appointment is required to consult any of our collections which are held in store.

© 2014 Trustees of the King's Own Royal Regiment Museum