the adric was recruited in great britain from among ex-officers who had served in world war i, especially those who had served in the british army (including the royal flying corps). most recruits were from britain, although some were from ireland, and others came from other parts of the british empire. many had been highly decorated in the war and three, james leach, james johnson, and george onions, had been awarded the victoria cross. their decorations make it clear that many had been promoted from the ranks: some men, for example, had been awarded the common soldier's military medal instead of (or in addition to) the officer's military cross. enlisted men who had been commissioned as officers during the war often found it difficult to adjust to their loss of status and pay in civilian life, and some historians have concluded that the auxiliary division recruited large numbers of these "temporary gentlemen".