Old Contemptibles

Old Contemptibles. This term refers to the highly experienced soldiers of the British Expeditionary Force who fought in the critical opening battles on the Western Front from August to November 1914. Their steadfast performance against a larger German force was crucial in halting the German advance during the Race to the Sea. The name, born from a perceived insult by Kaiser Wilhelm II, became a lasting badge of honor for these veterans of the British Army.

Origins of the Name

The epithet "Old Contemptibles" derives from an alleged order issued by Kaiser Wilhelm II in August 1914, which reportedly referred to the British Expeditionary Force as "Sir John French's contemptible little army." This message was widely disseminated by British propaganda to bolster morale and foster a sense of defiant pride. Although historical evidence suggests the Kaiser may not have used these exact words, the phrase was eagerly embraced by the soldiers themselves. They proudly adopted the title as a mark of their resilience against the Imperial German Army during the Great Retreat from Mons.

Formation and Early Service

The original British Expeditionary Force was a small, professional force drawn from the regular army and British reserves, numbering approximately 120,000 men. Its core consisted of six infantry divisions, including the 1st and 2nd Divisions, and the 5th Division, supported by cavalry under General Allenby. The force began landing in France at ports like Boulogne and Le Havre in early August 1914. They were immediately deployed to the Mons-Condé Canal in Belgium, forming a defensive line alongside the French Army's Fifth Army under General Charles Lanrezac.

Role in the First World War

The Old Contemptibles were engaged in nearly continuous combat during the war's mobile opening phase. Their first major action was the Battle of Mons on 23 August 1914, where their rapid rifle fire inflicted heavy casualties on advancing German units. This was followed by the arduous Great Retreat, a strategic withdrawal over 200 miles, which included a fierce holding action at the Battle of Le Cateau orchestrated by General Horace Smith-Dorrien. The tide turned with the First Battle of the Marne in September, where the BEF helped Marshal Joffre's forces push the Germans back. After the First Battle of the Aisne, the focus shifted north to Flanders, where the First Battle of Ypres in October-November 1914 saw the Old Contemptibles' ranks decimated in a brutal defensive victory that ended the war of movement.

Legacy and Commemoration

The legacy of the Old Contemptibles is enshrined in British military history as the embodiment of the pre-war professional soldier. After the battles of 1914, most survivors were either killed, wounded, or absorbed into the vast Kitchener's Army of wartime volunteers. In 1919, veterans formed "The Old Contemptibles' Association," which became a prominent Veterans' organization until its dissolution in 1974. Their sacrifice is commemorated by the Old Contemptibles' Memorial in St James's Park, London, and through memorials in Ypres and at the Mons Memorial Museum. Annual services are held at the Cenotaph, and their story remains a central narrative of British resolve in histories of the First World War.

Notable Members

Many individuals who served with the original BEF later achieved high rank or fame. This includes Field Marshal Douglas Haig, who commanded the First Army in 1914 and later became Commander-in-Chief of the BEF. General Horace Smith-Dorrien commanded II Corps during the retreat. Bernard Law Montgomery, then a junior officer, was wounded at the First Battle of Ypres. Renated war poet Siegfried Sassoon also served with the Royal Welch Fusiliers during this period. Among the ranks was Theodore Bayley Hardy, who, as a chaplain, won the Victoria Cross for his bravery at the Battle of the Somme after his service in 1914.

Category:British Army in World War I Category:Military units and formations of the United Kingdom in World War I Category:1914 in the United Kingdom