Soldiers and Gentlemen: A History of the University and Public Schools Brigade of the Royal Fusiliers 1914–1918

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By Colin W. Taylor

Helion & Company, 2024

Reviewed by David F. Beer

It is heart breaking now to see the poor remnants of our battalion on parade and to think of the brave show we used to make a few weeks ago on the same parade. A few weeks it is only, but it seems to be an age...I have asked myself time and again why I have been singled out for God’s especial mercy and protection when comrades, better men than myself, have been struck down by my side. (Sergeant Holden, 3rd Public Schools)

Growing up in a working-class family in a village in rural Devonshire, I didn’t have many friends who attended a university or a public school (a term which in Britain means a decidedly high-class private school). Nevertheless, I found Soldiers and Gentlemen to be an enlightening and fascinating read. Known as the UPS Brigade attached to the Royal Fusiliers, these army units consisted of university and public school students or graduates who chose to serve as “gentleman rankers" so they could remain among men of their own class rather than mix with recruits from lower social groups.

Colin Taylor’s book is a highly detailed account (over 500 pages) of the formation of these battalions, the men who volunteered, the problems encountered, and above all the accounts in the men’s own words of their experiences once they became soldiers. Since these men were from the more educated classes, it’s not surprising that their letters, diaries, memoirs, and reports were often more telling than those of the average Tommy. Moreover, the brigade published two trench journals, The Pow-Wow and The Gasper, which according to the author were exemplars of the trench magazine genre.

The UPS battalions had no shortage of recruits—but not always for the reasons one might expect. Public school and university students and graduates were anxious to become part of the "show" since there was a widespread feeling that the war wouldn’t last long. Many had a secondary plan, however. Once they were in the army, they would apply for a commission, since their education and class would practically ensure it. Over time, many did receive commissions and were transferred to other regiments. This frustrated and slowed down the training and deployment of the UPS battalions, however, since their numbers were so often depleted by losing these men.

From the Book

By the end of 1914 much of the UPS was in France and on active duty. From this point, Taylor describes in almost exhaustive detail the movements and experiences of the UPS men from the opening battles of the war to the closing ones, including the air war and the tank war—both of which found “gentlemen rankers” involved. His history is greatly augmented by numerous quotes from the men and by prolific footnotes. Further narrative describes action seen in the “side-shows” of Gallipoli, Salonika, Palestine, the Italian Front, and Russia, although these accounts mainly involved ex-UPS men who had moved on to other units.

There is much, much more in this book than I can begin to describe in a short review. Its 500 pages on gloss paper, with countless photographs, 12 maps, extensive footnotes and appendices with key documents, all bring alive the background, organization, training, and fighting that encompassed the lives (and often deaths) of the men who made up the UPS.

David F. Beer