Health in the army Category B2

[Abiam2]

I have a couple of questions about the soldier I am trying to write up.

What state of health would a soldier have to be in to be classed as category B2?  I am aware that A1 would obviously be the best and B2?  Maybe Bronchitis or some long standing complaint but not severe enough for discharge.

Secondly, this gentleman enlisted for the first time in 1895 and joined the Royal Artillery at Reading.  And that's all I have about his Regiment.   He appears to have been in Artillery school on several occasions and I wonder where these were.

I would very much appreciate some help,
Regards, Abiam

[LizzieW]

Hi Abiam

My father was classed as B2 when he signed up for WWII.  As far as I know the only thing wrong with him was flat feet.  When he joined the army aged 27, he was 5'5" tall and underweight for his height.  When he came out 5 or so years later, he was 5'8" tall and had put on over a stone and a half, despite being in Burma for part of the time.  When he was discharged he was classed as A2, probably not A1 because there was nothing anyone could do about his flat feet.   

Unfortunately, I know nothing about army matters, so can't answer your questions, I just thought I'd give you the info I have regarding class B2.

Lizzie

[liverpool annie]

Hi Abiam !

Looks like your man was "ordinary" !! 

A     Able to march, see to shoot, hear well and stand active service conditions.
Subcategories:

A1    Fit for despatching overseas, as regards physical and mental health, and training
A2    As A1, except for training
A3    Returned Expeditionary Force men, ready except for physical condition
A4    Men under 19 who would be A1 or A2 when aged 19

B    Free from serious organic diseases, able to stand service on Lines of Communication in France, or in garrisons in the tropics.
Subcategories:

B1    Able to march 5 miles, see to shoot with glasses, and hear well
B2    Able to walk 5 miles, see and hear sufficiently for ordinary purposes
B3    Only suitable for sedentery work

C    Free from serious organic diseases, able to stand service in garrisons at home. Subcategories:

C1    As B1
C2    As B2
C3    As B3

D    Unfit but could be fit within 6 months.
Subcategories:

D1    Regular RA,RE, infantry in Command Depots
D2    Regular RA,RE, infantry in Regimental Depots
D3    Men in any depot or unit awaiting treatment

For a while, men under 5 feet 3 inches were accepted into the Bantam units.

http://www.1914-1918.net/health.htm

Apparently in Canadian regiments .... A could go to the trenches .... B could not !! 

Annie