Recruiting Sergeants at Westminster

1877

Street Life in London: Recruiting Sergeants at Westminster, 1877. John Thomson (Scottish, 1837–1921). Woodburytype; image: 11 x 8.7 cm (4 5/16 x 3 7/16 in.); paper: 11 x 8.7 cm (4 5/16 x 3 7/16 in.); mounted: 27 x 20.7 cm (10 5/8 x 8 1/8 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Photography Discretionary Fund 2019.50 The sergeants, who held these posts for many years, were paid by the recruit, receiving a little over £1 for each person who ended up serving in the army. Out of that, the recruiters had to pay expenses, including giving each enlistee a shilling (1/20th of a pound) and paying “bringers” who supplied them with likely prospects. In 1875, 3,605 approved recruits were enlisted from London. The hub of army recruitment in London in the late 19th century was this street corner, the site of the Mitre and Dove, a pub with a name that ironically invoked the church and peace.