Saluting Left handed?

Subject: Saluting Left handed? Wed Jul 15, 2020 8:33 am

Hi

Whilst looking for some more info on the British army, I can across an illustration on the internet of a soldier saluting an officer left handed and the quote

"Note the left handed salute. The Army did not adopt saluting with the right hand only, until 1917".

Is this right or am I the butt of some Wiki practical joke?

ta

Sime

Posts : 556 Join date : 2013-05-07 Location : Brecon

Well, the 29th May is Oak Apple Day - the anniversary of the restoration of the monarchy in 1660 - some say this should be an English Bank Holiday. Anyway, this day is celebrated at the Royal Hospital Chelsea when the In-Pensioners march past the saluting base from opposite flanks - those approaching from the right saluting with their left hands. You can, of course, salute with your left if your right is incapacitated.

Posts : 110 Join date : 2013-09-07

Left and right handed salutes were part of the drill manual right the way through - there was a piece about it in one of the VMS Soldiers of the Queen with illustrations of both side salutes - we reposed some of the illustrations as well

Subject: Re: Saluting Left handed? Wed Jul 15, 2020 6:59 pm

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Field Exercise, 1877
(John Young Collection.)

JY

Subject: Re: Saluting Left handed? Wed Jul 15, 2020 10:16 pm

Hi,

Well, I never.....

So my follow up question is:-

If the saluter is saluting someone on the left - presumably they saluted with the left hand.....

What if the saluter was head on/face on to the 'salutee' - (assuming the saluter was not carrying something) was it up to the individual soldier or did various battalions have 'customs' regarding this eg 'always the right if possible'

Ta

Sime

Subject: Re: Saluting Left handed? Wed Jul 15, 2020 10:19 pm

Very interesting and news to me. I thought left handed saluting was only in one of Walter Mitty’s day dreams. I just found an article on the greatwarforum.org confirming it changed to right hand only, except if incapacitated, in Army Order 211 in July 1918. Phil

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