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.[1]
References / notes
- ↑ Edward Fraser and John Gibbons (1925). Soldier and Sailor Words and Phrases. Routledge, London p.17.
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.