Gorgeous wrecks

Gorgeous wrecks: A perversion of "George Rex," suggested by the letters "G.R." on the brassards worn by members of the Volunteer Defence Corps in the war. The corps was largely composed of elderly men, mostly of the professional classes, who were over age, or otherwise ineligible for active service, but were desirous of helping in the defence of the country in case of invasion. They spared no pains to makes themselves as efficient as possible in drill details, trench digging, rifle practice, field ambulance work, etc.

One most useful work of theirs, which soldiers returning from the front gratefully appreciated, was the meeting of leave trains at all hours of the day and night and piloting men across London to various railway centres for their homes in the country.

An equally unkind perversion of the letters "G.R." in this connection, often heard, was "Government Rejects."

Glossary of words and phrases

The above term is listed in our glossary of words and phrases of the Armed Forces of Great Britain during the Great War. Included are trench slang, service terms, expressions in everyday use, nicknames, the titles and origins of British and Commonwealth Regiments, and warfare in general. These words and phrases are contemporary to the war, which is reflected in the language used. They have been transcribed from three primary sources (see Contents). Feel free to expand upon and improve this content.
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