Pre-War Reserve Battalions

[Michael Pegum]

What did the pre-war reserve battalions do, in terms of training and duties? Were they full-time soldiers, or once-a week-and-two-weeks-in-summer? I am researching an officer in the 5th (Reserve) Battalion, the Leinster Regiment, and he seems to have run a farm.

When the war broke out they were mobilised at once, but became a draft-finding unit, training men who were then transferred to the 1st and 2nd battalions.

Michael

[Graham Stewart]

See this link on the role of the Special Reserve;-

http://armyservicenumbers.blogspot.com/200...ve-in-1908.html

Also this link regarding the Appendices to this Army Order;-

http://armyservicenumbers.blogspot.com/200...army-order.html

[Michael Pegum]

Thanks, Graham,

That's very helpful. Was the training period different from the old Militia battalions, do you know? Two weeks a year sounds minimal!

Michael

[Graham Stewart]

Sadly I don't have a condensed programme for Militia and in both Militia Regs for 1880 & 1901 "Training" covers a fair few pages, but here is the gist of it.

Militia Regs 1880 Part I Section III - II Training.

Para 244. All disembodied Regiments of Militia are liable to be called out for Training every year for any number of days not exceeding fifty-six.

Militia Regs 1904 - Annual Training - Infantry.

Para 231. The training will as far as possible be divided into three weeks musketry and company training and one weeks battalion training, if possible with other arms.

So quite a drop in training from previous years.