How were the IIVF and UVF recruits treated differently?

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How were the IIVF and UVF recruits treated differently?

Advantages

  • IVF
  • 1 November 1914 16,500 National Volunteers had enlisted
  • Many drafted into English Regiments
  • Redmond's request for similar treatment of an Irish Volunteer division was rejected
  • Redmond had wanted his own division with badge and emblem and officers.
  • The 16th Irish Divison was formed and became the unit where Irish Nationalists identified most strongly but included many non-Irish recruits.
  • Cream of the National volunteers found themselves in the 16th Division or dispersed among various English regiments contributing to the movements ultimate decline.

Disadvantages

  • UVF
  • Irish nationalists and ulster Unionists were not given equal treatment.
  • Had their own regiment
  • Men were kept together to fight side-by-side most commonly in the Somme.
  • Favoured by the war office

Evaluation

The inability of Redmond to create a distinct Irish division publicly demonstrated Redmond's inability to influence government decisions and it was widely seen as a reflection of the British Governments continued favouritism towards the Ulster Unionists. 

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