Khaki Jack: The Royal Naval Division in the First World War

摘要

This book is possibly not regular fare for a reader of this journal, but it is the type of book which has been produced with increasing regularity since and the commencement of the centenary commemorations of the First World War in 2014. The Royal Naval Division (RND) came into being as the Admiralty realized there was a surplus of men coming forward to rejoin the Royal Navy at the outbreak of war with Germany. Most of these men were not thrilled at the prospect of becoming infantry soldiers, but loyalty saw them accept the task. Such were the numbers available that eight battalions were created and named after famed naval commanders of the Royal Navy: Drake, Benbow, Hawke, Collingwood, Nelson, Howe, Hood and Anson. These were divided into the First and Second Naval Brigades. Alongside these was the Royal Marines Brigade made up of four battalions of marines. These battalions took their names from the naval ports of Chatham, Deal, Plymouth and Portsmouth.