Friendship, spectacle, and a sergeant's recruiting pitch

Robert Wakefield saw the 32nd Foot marching through Portsmouth in full order and recognised an old schoolmate among the recruits. A sergeant redirected their conversation to the barracks and suggested that Wakefield might remain with his friend. There, another sergeant painted army life in glowing colours until Wakefield accepted half a crown in the Queen's name and became a soldier. The story contrasts with the fraud and financial calculations of the preceding examples: familiarity, regimental display, and persuasive recruiting could be enough. It supports Holmes's broader point that British enlistment followed many routes and cannot be reduced to impressment or abuse.