Public Schools Battalion

The Public Schools Battalion was a British First World War Pals battalion of Kitchener's Army, originally made up exclusively of former public schoolboys. When the battalion was taken over by the British Army it was officially named the 16th Battalion, The Middlesex Regiment.

History

The battalion began privately recruiting in 1914 and membership was by application only; over 1,500 applications were received including from retired officers who wished to serve in the ranks. Such was the spirit of adventure that many men wished to serve as private soldiers alongside their mates, rather than as officers. Amongst the recruits were enough former international players for the battalion to field two rugby union and one football team.

However, Kitchener's Army was faced with a dire shortage of officers and so the exclusive nature of the Public Schools Battalion was doomed. "Young gentlemen" — public school and university graduates — were encouraged to apply for commissions and eventually the battalion's ranks were depleted. The numbers were made up with ordinary volunteers but the Public Schools Battalion title would remain.

Somme

In April 1916, the Public Schools Battalion joined the 86th Brigade of the 29th Division, a regular division that had served with distinction at Gallipoli. With the 29th Division, the Public Schools Battalion first saw action in the Battle of the Somme. On the first day on the Somme, 1 July, the battalion was in the supporting wave during the division's attack on Beaumont Hamel.

Like the leading battalions, the Public Schools Battalion advanced into withering German machine gun fire. A few men reached the German barbed wire but got no further. Most were cut down or trapped in no man's land. After nightfall those that were pinned down near the German wire were rounded up and made prisoners of war. The Public Schools Battalion suffered 522 casualties on 1 July, 22 officers and 500 other ranks.

The Public Schools Battalion was disbanded in February 1918.