ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the attitudes of the civilian population to the Army, then at the Army’s own view of itself, and finally to glance at the subject of ‘alienation’, a popular one at the moment. When speaking of the Army itself a person could be referring to any of the following aspects: its cost, its efficiency, its appearance, its usefulness, its nuisance-value, its purpose. When examining attitudes towards the Army, relationships to people who are serving, or have served in it, is also very important, for it is from such relationships that most knowledge of it springs. The minority circle which has the strongest feelings of attachment to the Army is made up of the traditional military families of all social classes; of the regular soldiers who enjoy their service; and of people who serve in the Volunteers. The Army officer reached a pinnacle in Edwardian days, from which he has been descending steadily ever since.
