Recruitment WW100

from volunteering to conscription

r u s h i n g

r e c r u i t s

f r om

c i v v y

s t r e e t

t o

p r i v a t e s

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p a r a d e

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1914

fter the outbreak of war,Britain recruited a huge volunteer citizens’Army. In just

eight weeks,over three-quarters of a million men had joined up.Every volunteer had to

undergo a series of medical and fitness tests before being accepted as a soldier. New recruits

were then given months of basic training in camps all over the country where they learned to

be soldiers.New officers had to learn how to lead their men.

TheArmy was unprepared for the stampede of volunteers willing

to fight, and men were often rushed through the official process

for joining up. Conditions in training camps were often basic and

supplies of equipment were limited.

Recruiting Offices were besieged.Public buildings were turned into new offices across

the country andAdministrative and Medical staff were found to process the thousands

of volunteers.Some areas experienced such a rush that they sent men away with an

appointment to come back another day. Although most men waited patiently for their turn,

there were reports of queue jumping and mounted police being sent to control crowds.

TheArmy could not

accept every volunteer. All

new soldiers had to meet

age restrictions,nationality

criteria and pass a medical

examination.This was

designed to reject those

with health conditions and

a physique deemed unfit for

the rigours of a soldier’s life.

Enlistment:a recruit undergoing

a medical examination - No 4,the