ARMY RESERVE CLASSES P, P(T), T, W AND W(T)

[Jock Bruce]

These terms crop up in service records, SWB rolls, etc. and this came up on another thread, but I though it deserved one to itself. They’re really all about managing manpower following the introduction of conscription. There are various ACIs covering the detailed implementation of this, and doubtless the scheme changed over time.

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Class W, Army Reserve and Class W(T), TF Reserve were introduced in Jun 16 by Army Order 203/16. and was ‘for all those soldiers whose services are deemed to be more valuable to the country in civil rather than military employment’.

Men in these classes were to receive no emoluments from Army Funds and were not to wear uniform. They were liable at any time to be recalled to the Colours. From the time a man was transferred to Class W, until being recalled to the Colours, he was not subject to military discipline.

Class T was introduced in Oct 16 by AO 355/16. There was no TF equivalent. Class T consisted of men in about 30 specific skilled trades (almost all industrial/munitions related) who would otherwise have been transferred to Class W. Terms and conditions were as for Class W.

(Although not stated, I assume there was a perceived need to manage the requirement for these specific trades separately from the rest.)

Classes P and P(T) were introduced by the same AO. These classes consisted of men

- ‘whose services are deemed to be temporarily of more value to the country in civil life rather than in the Army’

- and who were not lower than C iii medically

- and as a result of having served in the Army or TF would, if discharged, be eligible for a pension on the grounds of disability or length of service.

Men in Classes P and P(T) were, for the purposes of pay, allowances, gratuity and pension treated as if they been discharged on the date of their transfer to Class P or P(T) i.e. they did receive money from the Army. Other terms and conditions were as for Class W.

Jock