"Lord Derby's Scheme"

[Paul Bradshaw]

Found a newspaper reference to this in December, 1915, which refers to a CWS Factory "where a large amount of attesting was done under Lord Derby's scheme" It goes on to say that the whole of the eligible workers - "including overlookers, clerical staff and operatives offered themselves" and there were only 3 or 4 rejected.

Can anyone shed any light on this please as it would appear that almost the entire male workforce joined up.

Any help would be gratefully received.

Paul.

[Chris_Baker]

Here is a starter. http://www.1914-1918.net/derbyscheme.html

Much more on this forum if you search.

[Paul Bradshaw]

Thank youfor this---it answers my question.

Your response is very much appreciated.

Paul

[Gardenerbill]

The Derby Scheme was in effect a reserve list, my Grandfather signed in December 1915 but didn't get his call up until June 1916.

[Paul Bradshaw]

Thanks for the reply Mark.

Paul.

[Graham Stewart]

The Derby Scheme was in effect a reserve list, my Grandfather signed in December 1915 but didn't get his call up until June 1916.

Which is why they were regarded as 'Volunteers', rather than conscripts. It also went by the name of the 'Group System', because of they way in which the attestations were sorted i.e. age/occupation, which was the model on which the Military Services Act was organised.