Si Klegg
Corporal
- Joined
- Jul 13, 2018
- Location
- Bedford UK
A 'straggler' was a fellow who for whatever reason couldn't keep up with his Company/Regiment on the march and lagged behind. Stragglers exhaustedly made it to camp or bivouac throughout the day and night.
It was particularly prevalent in 'new' units, where the 'fresh fish' had neither got used to their new shoes/boots, the wearing of their kit nor the tendency to carry all sorts of home comforts in their laden knapsacks.
It was an awful lonely experience for a soldier to be separated from his comrades, and given that the right of way on any march was given to those marching with the Colors, it meant the straggler had to plod off the road, through the bushes and trees until the 'Rest' order was given and the roadway magically cleared as soldiers fell out to the sides.
This could actually be even worse for a green recruit, as it now meant he had to suffer the abuse and catcalls of hard-bitten veterans, who saw the chance of a bit of fun with a stranger.
It was particularly prevalent in 'new' units, where the 'fresh fish' had neither got used to their new shoes/boots, the wearing of their kit nor the tendency to carry all sorts of home comforts in their laden knapsacks.
It was an awful lonely experience for a soldier to be separated from his comrades, and given that the right of way on any march was given to those marching with the Colors, it meant the straggler had to plod off the road, through the bushes and trees until the 'Rest' order was given and the roadway magically cleared as soldiers fell out to the sides.
This could actually be even worse for a green recruit, as it now meant he had to suffer the abuse and catcalls of hard-bitten veterans, who saw the chance of a bit of fun with a stranger.
Bringing the