KHAKI DOCKERS BATTALION

TO BE INCREASED TO NEARLY 1000 MEN

THE TIMES (LONDON) Wed. 14th April 1915

It has been decided to extend the scheme which led to the formation of the Dockers’ Khaki Battalion at Liverpool. So far three companies making 350 men in all, have been enrolled, and these men started work under the new arrangement yesterday morning, their hours being from 7 to noon and from 1 to 9.

The men, apparently imbued with the idea of attaining to the Army standard of personal appearance, turned up today looking very smart, with shaven faces, polished boots and so on. Many of them laid aside their uniforms on getting to work, in order to keep them clean for marches and parades.

The scheme was purposely undertaken in a comparatively small way, in order that its faults, if any, might be rectified. But at a meeting of the headquarters staff today, Lord Derby presiding, it was decided to extend it by enrolling five new companies, each of 122 men. Two will consist of Cunard employees and two of White Star men, one company under each firm being of shipment men and the other of porters. With these additional companies, the Dockers’ Battalion will be nearly at its full strength of 1000 men. A number of men will continue to serve the boats of the line with which they are familiar where Government work is on hand. It is understood that Captain F. Williams, the adjutant, will address the Cunard and White Star men on Thursday with a view to enrolling recruits.