Hi I wonder can anyone tell me what the term 'Relegated to Unemployment' means on a WW2 officer's service record? It's the last entry on his Particulars of Service form and I believe it must relate to his discharge from the army. I've never seen that phrase used on a service record before and wonder whether anyone can shed any light on it. He had served in WW1 and was commissioned in 1943, (General List (Emergency)) and served until, I believe, 18/09/46, when the above term was entered on his service record. I have attached a copy of the entry below. Thank you and best regards Mike
I found this, which doesn't explain it, but suggests it wasn't uncommon. I think the link is to do with the officers age, basically put out to grass. https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commo...c8f5d153fd/Officers(RelegationToUnemployment)
Bowlerhatted. By the end of the war there was a surplus of middle aged junior and field officers. Lots of jobs for young Lieutenants and captains in infantyry units. I saw an entry in a 1940 WD that the "CO had been relieved of his command and after 28 days leave he wpould revert to the unemployed list."
Thank you both so much. I had a feeling that this is what it meant, but it still sounds rather callous. These soldiers had 'done their bit' wherever they served but were just, as Big Sandy suggested, put out to grass! Best regards Mike
Different generation then Mike. As Army Cadets in the 60's were were "Little Khaki Turds". by the 70's an NCO couldn't even tell a lad on inspection parade to wash his ears out or get his neck scrubbed. He could complain to the Padre. By the 80's a soldier could complain to his CO if an NCO upset him. (There is a subtle difference between imposing discipline and intimidation). No more Bootsie & Snudge or army Game lines. Starting with the first Dr Who, watch and list the familiar faces!
