Volunteers or Conscripts?

[Tony Lund]

In 1914 men who wished to enlist for “home defence only” could join the second line territorial battalions, 2nd 5th Duke of Wellington’s etc. After the introduction of conscription they were sent overseas whether they liked it of not. However they did originally volunteer, but not for the service they were eventually used in. In the final tally of numbers of men who volunteered during the war compared with numbers who were conscripted where are these men usually placed? There were obviously enough of them to make a substantial difference to the final figure.

I am assuming that the Derby men are classed as volunteers, although I have seen them described as volunteering to be conscripted.

Tony.