GOLD MEDAL PRIZE ESSAY, 1892 . 
499 
The morale of a battery depends in a great degree upon the influence 
of the officers. “ Discipline under fire,” wrote Skobeleff, 1 fresh from the 
experiences of Plevna, “ is established by moral authority of officers 
over their men.” To gain moral authority officers must first of all know 
their men. The importance of their closely directing the drill of 
recruits has already been dwelt on. Their efforts, however, must 
extend beyond parade. The institution of sports, games, tournaments, 
and similar amusements, in which all ranks join together is an indirect 
means of strengthening the bonds of discipline. Such exercises pro¬ 
mote the physical training of the body, and bring officers and men 
together under conditions most favourable for mutual intercourse. 
The mind must be trained as well as the body. To be a good all¬ 
round gunner a man should at least be able to obtain a 3rd class 
school certificate. Without this rudimentary knowledge the task of 
instructing him in such duties as setting fuzes and telescopic sights 
becomes exceedingly difficult. If the mind has been trained by pre¬ 
vious education the acquisition of drill and knowledge of gunnery is 
rendered easy. Education has, in fact, become so important a factor 
of the problem of Fire Discipline training that the question arises 
whether it ought any longer to be left to the voluntary efforts of individual 
recruits. 2 It is very desirable that a standard of education should be 
insisted on as a qualification for all gunner recruits before enlistment. 
If this is not thought to be practicable compulsory attendance at 
school might be required until the recruit has obtained a 3rd class 
certificate. The substitution of garrison for regimental schools—a 
step which was taken in 1887 for reasons of economy'—has been 
attended with disappointing results. Where there are large classes 
of 40 and 50 men it is impossible to give sufficient individual attention 
to all. The institution of battery schools, if this could be effected, 
would be an excellent means of affording the necessary instruction. 
In education, as in other matters, decentralisation is the key to success. 
Artificial aids to morale should not be neglected. British batteries 
of artillery have always had a high reputation for turn out, marching 
past, and precise drill. It is exceedingly important that there should 
be no relaxation in this respect. 3 Regard for appearance encourages 
esprit de corps, and stimulates personal pride. The value of these 
qualities in maintaining discipline cannot be over-rated, and is increased 
rather than lessened by the severer standard of Fire Discipline which 
is now exacted. There is fortunately no reason to think that there has 
been any falling off in this respect. Speaking at a meeting of the 
Aldershot Military Society the present Deputy-Adjutant-General of 
the Royal Artillery recently dwelt on the necessity for maintaining the 
1 “ Skobeleff,” by JYemirovitch-I)anfehenko. 
2 The argument put forward for abolishing compulsory school attendance in the army was that 
owing to the progress of the Elementary Education Act recruits join with sufficient educational 
knowledge. A boy, however, who leaves school at 13 and enlists at 18 will, in the nve years 
interval, have forgotten the most part of what he had learnt unless his education had been kept 
up. Three months attendance at a military school would recall to his mind his former knowledge. 
3 “ The grand parade is the best touchstone for the discipline and obedience of the troops.”— 
Prince Kraft zu Hohenlohe-Ingelfingen. 
Moral 
authority of 
officers. 
The import¬ 
ance of 
education as 
a means to 
Fire Discip¬ 
line. 
Smart turn 
out is as es¬ 
sential as 
ever. 
