Small and aggressive: How undersized patriots joined the Bantam battalions to fight the Kaiser

Every year, just before November 11th, it was my custom to post a blog of remembrance about soldiers who had perished in wars, fighting for our freedom. The catalyst for my post this year was not only for those British soldiers and allies who sacrificed their lives but also for a German prisoner of war who had lost a badge that was found much later by an English metal detectorist. You can see that post HERE . . . if you wish. But, be patient with this old duffer!

I go off on a tangent. When I first started writing, the text was more important than the pictures and people were prepared to read. Now metal detecting magazines are full of pictures with little accompanying text: It has all changed. Pictures for the new generation are paramount. That’s why blogs like this are on the wane. In a recent post a videographer boasted that his Utube masterpiece had garnered 96,000 views. In the same period a post of mine was viewed 264 times. Times they are a’ changin’. Any excuse to hear Dylan. Please click on link below . . .

https://archive.org/embed/podcast_bach-to-rap_bob-dylan-the-times-they-are_1000416022310

Dylan points out that every single person needs to be informed that change is coming and that the people need to deal with it. The song has a strong meaning that people must join in this change and stop fighting it. Okay. Point taken. Gonna buy a Go-Pro. Wishful thinking – I can’t walk. As a compromise to change, I will make this post ‘picture heavy’.

Canadian Stalwart

Michael Rawlins – a loyal, reliable, and hard-working supporter …

You must be asking why I continue with what seems a thankless task. One of my most faithful subscribers is one of the Administrators on the Canadian Metal Detecting forum, Micheal Rawlins. The avatar on the left may give you a clue to one of his detecting specialities – military badges. It’s for the likes of him that I continue my blog.

Micheal sent me a few pictures from his vast collection and amongst the ’sweetheart’ brooches and other military insignia was an item I had never seen nor heard of before. I’ve learnt something most interesting and that find I discuss here. Hope it captures your interest too.

143rd Battalion (British Columbia Bantams), CEF

143 B.C. Bantams Cap Badge. Courtesy Micheal Rawlings

The 143rd (B.C. Bantams) Battalion, CEF was a unit in the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War. Based in Victoria, British Columbia, the unit began recruiting in 1916 throughout Western Canada. Bantam units were organised to recruit men who were shorter than the standard 5-foot-4-inch (163 cm) height required for joining the army. 

This picture shows a group of Canadian Great War soldiers at attention. It is possible that this is a photo of men from one of the two Canadian BANTAM battalions raised for the war. Bantams were men under the minimum height requirement. Bantams were 5’3″ or under. The taller man might be a six-footer for emphasis. The Canadian bantams were the 143rd British Columbian and the 216th Toronto Battalions.

143 B.C. Bantams Collar Tab.
Courtesy Micheal Rawlins

Each One a Pocket Hercules

At the start of WW1 the British Army was actually turning able-bodied men away from signing up to fight the Germans – because they lacked the height. This rule excluded many men, especially those from coal mining areas, who were otherwise perfectly fit to serve. One Durham miner of low stature was refused at every recruiting office. He was so infuriated that he threatened to fight any man who said that the missing inch mattered. Hearing of his plight, the local MP Alfred Bigland, wrote to the Secretary of State for War, Lord Kitchener.

Enter Lord Bigland

Hearing of the diminutive miners plight Arthur Bigland, Member of Parliament, wrote to the Secretary of State for War, Lord Kitchener asking for permission to set up a unit for short, able-bodied men who wished to fight for their country. ( I find the name BIGLAND very ironic, especially in this context. )

17th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (courtesy Mike Dixon / Great War Forum) 

The War Office gave its blessing. Soon 3,000 men who’d been barred from the army were selected for two battalions. Called Bantam battalions they were reserved for men of 5ft to 5ft 3in with an expanded chest of 34in.  
Across the UK and Canada a total of 50,000 bantam .

Canadian Recruiting Poster

Amongst the most famous of the bantam soldiers from Canada was Sir Billy Butlin, who after the war went on to found Butlin’s holiday camps. He was a teenager living in Canada who reluctantly volunteered for service in 1915, eventually serving as a stretcher-bearer in the 216th (Bantams) Battalion of the Canadian expeditionary force. Pic from DFaily Record.

Battle of Epehy. Wounded and Prisoners coming in, near Epehy, 18th September 1918. The wounded soldier in the foreground is from a Bantam unit. © IWM (Q 11329)

Henry Thridgould was the shortest Corporal in the British Army, standing at 4ft 9inches tall. Courtesy BBC

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