Clare Journal, Thur 18 Aug 1870:
Her Majesty’s Service.
The following notice on the subject of recruiting and the advantages to be derived from entering the army has just been issued:
By the Army Enlistment Act, 1870, a recruit has the choice of enlisting either for long or short service in the regular army.
1st - Long Service. He may enlist for 12 years in the regular army, at the end of which if he has conducted himself well and is allowed by his commanding officer, he may re-engage for nine years more to complete a service of 21 years. On his discharge, after completing the 21 years, he will receive a pension for life.
2nd - Short Service. He may enlist for six years in the regular army, and six years in the first-class reserve. After the first six years are passed he will be able to return to civil life, to live wherever he likes within the United Kingdom, and to follow any trade or occupation he pleases.
During the last six years he will receive the pay of 4d a day, in return for which he will be liable to be drilled occasionally, but the Act of Parliament provides that the times shall be so arranged as to interfere as little as possible with his trade or occupation. He will also be liable, in case of imminent national danger, or of great emergency, to be recalled to service with that branch of the regular army in which he has previously served.
If during the second six years, an emergency occurs and he is recalled to the service, he will receive the full daily pay of a soldier, and his reserve service will reckon towards good conduct pay, just as if he had served continuously in the army; and if at the end of his limited engagement he re-engage, his reserve service will count year for year towards pension on discharge.
Whilst serving, the soldier is lodged, and to a great extent clothed at the public expense; he gets better and cheaper food than he could in civil life; and when ill he has the best medical treatment. From the beginning of his service he may, with care, have 3s a week to spend after paying all expenses, and he can, by good conduct, gain an increase of his pay of - 1d a day after two years’ service, 2d a day after six years’ service, 3d a day after 12 years’ service, 4d a day after 18 years’ service, 5d a day after 23 years service, 6d a day after 28 years’ service. A well educated and deserving soldier has every prospect of promotion, which gives him a further increase in pay.
The soldier has the advantage of a savings bank, and the use of a library and recreation room, and, in most places, other means of amusement. In many stations he has time and opportunities given him of learning a trade whereby he may earn additional pay whilst in the army, and be the better prepared for gaining his livelihood when he leaves the service.
The usual periods of serving abroad are so arranged that the soldier has a fair proportion of home as well as of foreign service.
If the soldier be wounded in action, or in any way maimed in the performance of his military duties, he becomes entitled to a pension.
The deserving soldier on his discharge is well fitted, from his regular habits, for many situations, such as those in the police, on the railroads, or other employments in civil life; and a good character on discharge from the service gives him the best testimonial for such employment.
There are few callings in civil life open to unskilled labour which promises to a steady and deserving young man such advantages as are offered to the good and meritorious soldier in her Majesty’s service.
Wm Paulet, Adjutant-General. Horse Guards, 15th August.
Clare Journal, Thur 29 Dec 1870:
Clare Militia. Pursuant to an official order received by Captain and Adjutant Charles Keane, 94th Clare Regiment of Militia, the following notice has been issued by that officer: Wanted for the 94th Clare Regiment of Militia, single young men, of good character, to complete the Regiment to its establishment. Volunteers will be taken by applying at the orderly room at Ennis Barracks, between the hours of 10 o’clock a.m. and 3 o’clock p.m., each day, (Sundays excepted), commencing 2nd January, 1871. The usual bounty of six pounds and a free kit will be granted to each volunteer, to be paid as follows: ten shillings on joining, and one pound one shilling yearly. Height 5 feet 4 inches, aged 18 to 30 years, volunteers at present belonging to the Regiment who have completed 4 years service, can re-enrol (if approved of by the Adjutant), receiving at the time any balance of bounty due to them, also their kit. By order, Charles Keane, Capt. and Adjt., 94th Clare Regiment of Militia. Orderly Room, Ennis Barracks, 26th Dec. 1870.
Sheila