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UK's War recruitment from rebellious colonies

• Message 1.Β 

  Posted by Elkstone (U3836042) on Friday, 26th November 2010

  large numbers enlisted during the world wars from parts of the empire with strong independence movements. Most notably Ireland, India, Africa. What was the logic behind this? Surely it would contradict their nationalist or patriotism to loyally serve the colonial masters? Or Did Britain bribe or bully them into enlisting with promises of independence? Was ireland offered a deal with the north if they sided with the allies? So they didnt restrict volunteers?

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• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by LongWeekend (U3023428) on Saturday, 27th November 2010

  Elkstone
  
  Independence movements in the African colonies were not well-developed even by WWII, and what movements there were were dominated by the local intelligensia, who were not the people being recruited. Patriotism and economic factors seem to have been the major incentives (the West Indian economies in particular were badly hit). I'm glad you mentioned the Africans - it is rarely remembered that there were two West African (including West Indian regiments) and an East African division serving in the British Imperial forces - one of the West African brigades was with the Chindits.
  
  In India, military service was seen as an honorable and lucrative employment among the castes being recruited. The Indian officers as a group were not strong supporters of the independence movement (although individual officers were). There were members of the Indian independence movement (and of the British administration) who recognised that support for the war effort would be a bargaining chip post-war, although the majority Congress view was to obstruct the war effort.
  
  As for Ireland, there was a strong history of military service, often for economic reasons. Despite this, recruiting in Ireland, from both traditions, was at noticably lower levels than in the rest of Britain. This was the result of nationalist feeling (and Unionist distrust). Conscription was not introduced into Ireland because this was recognised. Redmond,leader of the Irish Nationalists did hope that war service could be used for political gain after the war (getting the Westminster government to honour the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Rule pledge). The Unionists, equally, hoped to prove that their service was of greater value. This combined in the post-Independence situation with the new Irish government's reluctance to acknowledge Ireland's part in Britain's war (even though it was largely Irish veterans who defeated the IRA in the Civil War) to minimise that role.
  
  As for WWII, Irishmen (and women) were legally allowed to serve in HM Armed Forces, so it was difficult for De Valera to stop them. The traditional incentives encouraged enlistment, as well as the desire to be part of Freedom's Battle (especially after the US joined the war). Clair Wills "That Neutral Island" has a very good discussion of Irish enlistment. De Valera famously resisted the blandishments of Churchill and Roosevelt to join the Allies.
  
  It should also be borne in mind that, impressive though recruiting was, the proportion of manpower recruited for service in the Empire (or by the Dominions) did not reach the proportion mobilised in the UK itself.
  
  LW

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