wordsmith

The Legion of Frontiersmen is undoubtedly a shadow of its former self, and has had a somewhat patchy recent history, but this often happens to voluntary organisations after a time. At present there is something of a revival going on. New units are forming and these have a clearer sense of direction and purpose than some of their immediate predecessors - but closer perhaps to the original Frontiersmen back in the early 1900s. The ethos of these new LF units is much the same as in the early decades of the Legion's existence - to promote voluntary service to Crown and Country, with a particular focus on providing trained and disciplined personnel to assist the authorities when and if called upon to do so in times of national emergency, as well as keeping alive the traditions and heritage of the Legion.

It is interesting that the LF revival is coming at a time when other uniformed volunteer groups, such as St John Ambulance, are moving consciously away from their 'militaristic' origins and have replaced their traditional uniforms, command structures and ranks, with modern, decidedly non-military, styles of dress (peaked caps are out, hoodies are in!), county and divisional HQs are being closed down, and 'team leaders' take the place of county commanders. What began in Victorian times as the St John Ambulance Brigade is now a rather dumbed-down and 'Politically Correct' organisation that charges commercial rates to provide first-aid support at county shows and sends its volunteers out into the community dressed like rough sleepers! The LF is [gradually] bouncing back from its recent decline... but will St John Ambulance?

Issues 90 and 91 (December 2011 and March 2012) of the journal of the International Military Music Society, UK Branch, both contain articles on Legion of Frontiersmen bands from the 1900s to the 1950s, which members of the GMIC might be interested to read. The LF had a number of very active and successful military bands in Britain and throughout the Empire.