Patriotism or pleasure? The nineteenth century volunteer force as a vehicle for rural working-class male sport.

Abstract

The growth in provision in sporting opportunities in nineteenth century Britain is a well documented topic, and there has been a parallel growth of interest in particular sports in a Scottish setting’. Such studies examine aspects of formal sports organisations in a variety of contexts and show the diversity of social arrangements which supported participation in sport. This paper examines the role of a national organisation, military rather than social in nature, to assess its contribution as a vehicle for the promotion of sport for rural working-class men in one specific Scottish setting. The nineteenth century Volunteer Force was set up with the aim of national defence, in the expectation that citizens would willingly do their patriotic duty: “I do make Oath that I will be faithful and do swear true Allegiance to Her Majesty, her heirs and Successors and that I will as in duty bound honestly and faithfully defend Her Majesty, her heirs and Successors in person, Crown and dignity against all enimies (sic) and will observe and obey all orders of Her Majesty, her heirs and Successors and of the Generals and Officers set over me. So help me God”2. Did membership serve a different purpose for the working-class men who unexpectedly became the mainstay of the force?