POTENTIAL OFFICERS
SIR,—As a regular reader of your paper, there is a paragraph in your issue of May 3rd upon which I should like to comment. It occurs on page 614 and deals with " Potential Officers for the Army." On page 615 it reads : " Secondly, there is a large number of men between the ages of twenty-seven and forty who are accustomed to command in civilian life, who have at least some military training, and are exactly the men qualified to be turned into officers in the infantry, the artillery, the Engineers and other arms," &c., &c.
I should like to detail my own experiences in this connexion. I was educated at a public school and university. At the former I had four-five years' experience hi the Officers' Training Corps, leaving with the rank of corporal and holding Certificate " A "; at the latter I took my degree in Law, and have since been employed as personal assistant to one of the departmental chiefs of a large business concern. About eighteen months ago I joined a Senior Division of the Officers' Training Corps with a view to obtaining my Certificate " B." I was, in addition, a member of the Officer Cadet Reserve.
At the outbreak of war I volunteered to serve in any capacity. I had an interview at a Joint Recruiting Board, and, after some questions as to my qualifications, the Board informed me that they considered my services could best be utilised in the Royal Army " X " Corps and that they were recommending that I be granted a commission in that body. , I was given a medical examination, which I passed Grade I, and told that I should hold myself in readiness to be called up in about three weeks. On November 27th last I received a letter from the War Office informing me that they had noted my qualifications and hoped to be able to offer me a commission in the Royal Army " Y " Corps, but meantime I would require to appear before a further Board in January. I duly attended this Board, who were mysti- fied as to why the " Y " Corps had been chosen, but, on the assumption that the War Office knew what they wanted, con- firmed the appointment on the basis of..my experience.
Silence then once more descended upon the matter until April. when I was summoned to an interview with a colonel of the " Y " Corps, who, in a rather vague but nevertheless polite manner, conveyed the impression to me that such qualification. as I had were hardly suitable for the " Y " Corps.
There for the present the matter rests. Next month I register with my age group and trust soon thereafter to have an oppor- tunity of serving in the ranks of the British Army.
Finally, I may add two points: one, when in September my firm understood I was being called up shortly they took steps to fill my position, and since then two people have had a diffieulty in doing the work of one ; two, this case which I have detailed is not an isolated one as I know of at least two others similar it all but minor details.—I have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient
servant, JOHN H. Loam. 34 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh.
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