Allocation of volunteers / conscripts

[Raypalmer]

I have a lot of questions about recruitment in WW1 ….

1 What was the process by which volunteers – and later conscripts – were assigned to regiments?

2 When they attended the Recruitment Office, could they express a preference, or did they ‘go where they were told’?

3 If they were recruited in Cardiff, would they automatically be assigned to a Welsh regiment?

4 If a group of brothers attended together would they be assigned to the same regiment?

5 To what extent would their civilian jobs affect their posting – eg drivers, mechanics, builders, carpenters, shopkeepers, etc?

6 How did the “Pals” system work – eg would the “Cardiff Pals” all have been in the same regiment?

7 Might, say, a man recruited in Cardiff be assigned to, say, the Norfolk Regiment or the Staffordshire Light Infantry?

Any guidance would be much appreciated!

Ray

[ss002d6252]

1 What was the process by which volunteers – and later conscripts – were assigned to regiments?

2 When they attended the Recruitment Office, could they express a preference, or did they ‘go where they were told’?

It depended when in the war and at what point. Pre conscription a man generally could ask to be enlisted to a specific unit but the army could just was easily say it's full, and we've only got vacancies elsewhere. Post conscription you went where you were told.

3 If they were recruited in Cardiff, would they automatically be assigned to a Welsh regiment?

Possibly, the army would send a man wherever although I believe that there was a drive for men enlisting in wales to join the Welsh Army Corps.

4 If a group of brothers attended together would they be assigned to the same regiment?

Possibly - it depends where the army sent them. Unless they had voluntarily enlisted to a specific battalion (e.g Pals battalion or a territorial force battalion) they'd be sent wherever the need was (and once enlisted they could generally be transferred at the army's need anyway).

5 To what extent would their civilian jobs affect their posting – eg drivers, mechanics, builders, carpenters, shopkeepers, etc?

The army could make use of a man's skills by posting him straight to a relevant unit or sometimes combing battalions later on for specific skills they needed.

6 How did the “Pals” system work – eg would the “Cardiff Pals” all have been in the same regiment?

This was the raising of specific battalions - e.g come and join the 10th Cardiff's and serve alongside your friends and neighbors. The Pals would usually be raised as a battalion of the local regiment.

7 Might, say, a man recruited in Cardiff be assigned to, say, the Norfolk Regiment or the Staffordshire Light Infantry?
Wherever the army needed him once he had joined up.

Craig

[Raypalmer]

Thank you very much, Craig, that's really helpful info.

Ray

[geraint]

Point 5

Here in Ruthin I analysed the enlistment and casualties of the 800+ enlisters and the 101 deaths. The sons of artisans, commerce and business inhabiting in general the lower middle class streets and neighbourhoods who didn't become officers, tended to join the ASC in general. The sons of working class families tended to join the Royal Welsh infantry battalions. There was a public conception reflected in letters in the local rag that the ASC was considered to be a safer and softer option. Only 1 of the 101 town deaths was an ASC man and that was an accidental death. The one battalion that differed completely to the above was the 4th RWF Territorial battalion in which 70 town men served in 1914 in C company. They are a complete mix regarding social stratification and income and reflected a distinct type of individual who enjoyed the prewar life of a Saturday soldier.

In 1914 volunteers could choose their regiment though not necessarily the battalion. Frank Richards as a reservist returning to the RWF depot at Wrexham in early August was told by RSM that there were only 10 remaining places in the 2nd battalion, and Richards mentioned that he and his friends rushed off to join them on a first served basis.

[Raypalmer]

That's interesting. Thanks very much Geraint.

Ray

[purley]

Just to add a few extra thoughts

1 What was the process by which volunteers – and later conscripts – were assigned to regiments?

2 When they attended the Recruitment Office, could they express a preference, or did they ‘go where they were told’?

It depended when in the war and at what point. Pre conscription a man generally could ask to be enlisted to a specific unit but the army could just was easily say it's full, and we've only got vacancies elsewhere. Post conscription you went where you were told.

In early days the local regiments were filled up pretty quickly in areas of dense population and so men were shunted to county regiments which could accommodate them. The Royal Berks for instance had huge drafts from London, Birmingham, Bristiol and South Wales In later days this was handled by the officers in the Command Record Office who generally sent everyone from their command to one regiment which was forming a battalion and then when tat was full sent them to another regiment within the command..

3 If they were recruited in Cardiff, would they automatically be assigned to a Welsh regiment?

Possibly, the army would send a man wherever although I believe that there was a drive for men enlisting in wales to join the Welsh Army Corps.

The Welsh regiments filled up very quickly but South Wales had a lot of miners and they were in great demand by the Royal Engineers to form mining companies.

4 If a group of brothers attended together would they be assigned to the same regiment?

Possibly - it depends where the army sent them. Unless they had voluntarily enlisted to a specific battalion (e.g Pals battalion or a territorial force battalion) they'd be sent wherever the need was (and once enlisted they could generally be transferred at the army's need anyway).

5 To what extent would their civilian jobs affect their posting – eg drivers, mechanics, builders, carpenters, shopkeepers, etc?

The army could make use of a man's skills by posting him straight to a relevant unit or sometimes combing battalions later on for specific skills they needed.

Each battalion had to have a set of relevant craftsmen to serve the battalion, eg cobblers, tailors etc. The ASC were keen to get their hands on motor mechanics and drivers. Lots of men who had clerical skills were despatched to Record Offices and War Office centres around the country and had a relatively peaceful war.

6 How did the “Pals” system work – eg would the “Cardiff Pals” all have been in the same regiment?

This was the raising of specific battalions - e.g come and join the 10th Cardiff's and serve alongside your friends and neighbors. The Pals would usually be raised as a battalion of the local regiment

Initially the Pals were raised outside the regimental system by local dignitaries etc - only later were they assigned as a battalion within a local regiment..

7 Might, say, a man recruited in Cardiff be assigned to, say, the Norfolk Regiment or the Staffordshire Light Infantry?

Wherever the army needed him once he had joined up.

see above - probably not the South Staffs but very likely the Norfolks

John

[Raypalmer]

Thank you John - all very helpful stuff.

Ray