Lieut.-Colonel F. Hammersley
After the Crimean War and the Indian Mutiny, it dawned upon the British public that Army training was mal-conceived, and recruits were out of shape. The War Office mandated some physical training, so, in 1860, Major Hammersley and twelve N.C.0's. were sent to Oxford University for a six-month course at the Gymnastic School run by Archibald MacLaren.
When the course was over, Hammersley and his twelve physical educators opened their own school at Wellington Lines, Aldershot. Major Hammersley was offered the Superintendent’s post. Before accepting the offer, he wrote to his father, as was the custom with young officers in those days, to ask his advice. He received the following reply:
My Dear Son,
Colonel Hamilton has offered to appoint you Superintendent of Gymnastic Exercises? I do not know the particulars, but I hope you will not be tempted to accept a job hardly fit for a gentleman and an officer who aspires to military distinction. Please keep me informed, and please do not take a position that will make you look like Hammersley the personal trainer.
Your Affectionate Father.
Major Hammersley saw physical training differently than his father's generation, but the appointment certainly would not put him on the fast track in the military. He was called a man of outstanding ability, with a charming personality, modest and kind, but also a good disciplinarian. He was described by one of his contemporaries as a "practical athlete with one of the finest physical developments I have ever seen."
In 1862 an order was published that gymnasia should be erected in every garrison. The second gymnasium was built at The Curragh (Ireland), followed by one at Chatham in 1864 and Shorncliffe in 1867. As each station gymnasium was built, an officer "Superintendent" was put in charge. In the early days, these officers remained on the strength of their regiments while performing these duties. Major Hammersley now became the Director of these gymnasia and their staff. At first he carried out his duties unaided, but at some time in 1867 the Aldershot Command "lent" Captain Bathe of the 5th Fusiliers to assist him. In 1871 he was nominated Inspector of Gymnasia, with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel.
Hammersley spent quite a bit of energy promoting amateur sport in England. Due to his efforts, the Amateur Athletic Club was founded in 1866, and he became its first chairman. He was also interested in the National Olympian Association, formed to control all athletic bodies in Great Britain. That is where the APTC got it motto, "Mens Sana in Corpore Sano."
In 1865 regulations were published, that physical training was to take precedence over all other forms of training during the first two months of a recruit's service; periods not to exceed one hour a day, and to be continuous, with periodic tests. The trained soldier, unless exempted medically or for age, had to undergo a three months' annual course, during which he attended the gymnasium for an hour every other day. Those showing special aptitude were chosen for another three months' course at headquarters before qualifying as assistant instructors. The best of these were selected for the Gymnastic Staff. The object of these courses was given as "the strengthening of the soldier so that he can cover 1,000 yards or more at a rapid pace and at the end be capable of using his bayonet efficiently.