---
title: Schoolboys of Britain To-Day Train to be the Mechanics and Soldiers of To-Morrow (For Freedom series, F.D./F.4)
url: https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/uk-for-freedom-schoolboys-mechanics-soldiers-1939/
description: Three photographs show army apprentices at a machine tool, a boy apprentice at a lathe and army cadets with a Bren gun.
section: Collection
---

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3. Schoolboys of Britain To-Day Train to be the Mechanics and Soldiers

[![Schoolboys of Britain To-Day Train to be the Mechanics and Soldiers of To-Morrow, 1939 UK poster: Three photographs show army](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/uk-for-freedom-schoolboys-mechanics-soldiers-1939.jpg)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/uk-for-freedom-schoolboys-mechanics-soldiers-1939.jpg)

# Schoolboys of Britain To-Day Train to be the Mechanics and Soldiers of To-Morrow (For Freedom series, F.D./F.4)

Three photographs show army apprentices at a machine tool, a boy apprentice at a lathe and army cadets with a Bren gun, under the title on boys training as mechanics and soldiers. The tell for transfer is the Union Jack device and 'For Freedom' label, and for glittering-generalities the closing claim that 'Britain's youth is playing a great part in the record mobilisation of Britain's manpower', given with no figures.

## Propaganda techniques used in this poster

[Transfer](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/transfer/) [Glittering generalities](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/glittering-generalities/)

## Text on the object

Original (English) · read from the image, not independently checked

```
F.D./F.4
Army apprentices learn to be expert mechanics.
A boy apprentice in industry learns to use a lathe.
Army cadets train with regular soldiers.

FOR FREEDOM
SCHOOLBOYS OF BRITAIN TO-DAY TRAIN TO BE THE MECHANICS AND SOLDIERS OF TO-MORROW

BOYS OF 15 TO 16 can volunteer for the Army as apprentices. They are given a thorough technical training in engineering, electrical work or carpentry. Then, when they join up at 18, they are fully-trained craftsmen. Other boys become apprentices in the munition works, and still others train as cadets with regular soldiers in the field. Thus, Britain's boys volunteer for training that will enable them to play their parts to the full in the war effort. Britain's youth is playing a great part in the record mobilisation of Britain's manpower.
```

[← A Daylight Raid on the Enemy Coast (For Freedom series, E.E.3)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/uk-for-freedom-daylight-raid-enemy-coast-1939/) [Schoolboys and Schoolgirls of Britain Help on the Farms During Their Holidays (For Freedom series, F.D./F.3) →](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/uk-for-freedom-schoolboys-schoolgirls-farms-holidays-1939/)

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