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The Army Game

First the Home Guard came by its affectionate label of 'Dad's Army'. But since before 1939 the Territorial Army somehow has always been 'The Terriers'. Ex-National Servicemen joined to fulfil their reserve training obligations and some stayed on. Volunteers join because they like the idea of part-time military life. But the Territorial Army has always been a political ping-pong ball. In 1965 it was threatened with reorganisation and drastic pruning to save £20 million a year. But then came a reprieve. And in April this year a drive was started to recruit another 10,000 men. Today it has a new name - the Territorial and Army Voluntary Reserve - and a new look, with new weapons and a new job to do. What makes a quiet civilian family man want to fire guns and drive armoured cars for a fortnight a year and one evening a week? Do they feel part of a serious fighting force? Or do they just play the army game?

English
  • Originally Aired July 21, 1971
  • Network BBC Two
  • Created June 6, 2022 by
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  • Modified June 6, 2022 by
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