The One Fingered Salute

It’s a fact of the Corps Officer’s life that visitors will knock on the door of the Quarters at the most inconvenient of times, and once they’re in the door they can be quite difficult to remove. There are a number of techniques the officer can use to rid themselves of callers who overstay their welcome, all requiring tact and diplomacy.

This has always been the case, but a century ago officers  were encouraged to utilise a more direct means of moving people to the door. The 1908 Orders and Regulations for Field Officers, in the section governing the usage of Officers’ Quarters, states

There should be a card over the mantelpiece, telling visitors to do what business they have to do quickly, and when they have done it to depart; and when Soldiers or others have said their say, the F.O. should point to this card or tell them or tell them plainly that time is precious, and, if they have nothing more to say for the glory of God or the good of souls, to take their departure.

One wonders whether the Trade Department sold such cards. One wonders if Trade Departments could sell such things now!

There is no word on whether visitors were expected to salute on their departure.

Saluting the Past is an ongoing series of posts about saluteworthy rules of days gone by. If you have any suggestions for this series, please leave a note in the comments or tweet  The Salute’s editorial team at @SalutingSalvo 

Keep saluting!