Bomber

Bombers, at least during the First World War, were troops trained in the use of throwing hand-grenades, which came into general use after the First Battle of Ypres (19 October – 22 November, 1914). The term Bomber was officially adopted after controversy over it's previous title, namely that of "Grenadier."

According to Soldier and Sailor Words and Phrases: The Grenadier Guards objected, claiming that they had a prescriptive right exclusively to the name, as having been specially conferred on them after Waterloo to commemorate their part in overthrowing Napoleon's Grenadiers of the Guard. The Guards, says Sir Frederick Ponsonby, in his History of the Grenadiers in the War, were "much perturbed" considering it as "an infringement of their privileges and misleading." The Colonel in command of the First Battalion Grenadier Guards protested to the War Office against the "usurpation." After a protracted controversy a final appeal was made to the King, and in May, 1916, it was officially announced that "at His Majesty's 'expressed wish' the word 'Bomber' should be universally substituted for 'Grenadier.'

In more recent times the term bomber has different connotations and is usually associated with terrorism.

References / notes

The above term is listed in our Compendium of the Great War.

This compendium forms the central hub of words, phrases, people, and places relative to the Great War period of 1914–1918. These also include battles, political events, ships, trench slang, British and American service terms and expressions in everyday use, nicknames, sobriquets, the titles of British and Commonwealth Regiments and their origins, and also warfare in general. These words and phrases are contemporary with the war, which is reflected in the language used, some of which may seem derogatory by today's standards. Feel free to expand upon and improve this content.

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