The Bantams

The Bantams: The name given in the War to certain battalions especially recruited from men under the minimum army height of 5ft. 3ins. At first not accepted, such men during 1915 were formed into separate Bantam Battalions, the two Birkenhead Battalions, the 15th and 16th Battalions of the Cheshire Regiment, leading the way. Bantam Battalions were recruited afterwards all over the country – one Division, the 35th, being at one time composed entirely of "Bantams." Later, owing to the necessities of the situation, some battalions were "de-bantamized," and made up with men of any size.