Discharge to the Reserve

[Light Bob]

Hi

I've just been checking some Victory and War Medal Rolls at the National Archive.

In many case I found that the soldier was discharged at the end of the War, but most were transferred to the Reserve.

Several types of Reserve were shown including 'B', 'Z' and Special. I wonder if anyone is able to tell me what the various Reserves were and what criteria was used for allocating a man to them.

Brian

[gporta]

Hi Bob,

You can find a very good explanation on Chris' site:

http://www.1914-1918.net/reserve.htm

Gloria

[Light Bob]

Thanks Gloria

Found the explanations very useful, though it didn't mention the Z Reserve.

Any idea what this was

Brian

[gporta]

Found the explanations very useful, though it didn't mention the Z Reserve.

Any idea what this was

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi Brian,

You may have missed because it is down at the end of the page. Aniway, I'm pasting the quote here:

"Class Z Reserve was authorised by an Army Order of 3 December 1918. There were fears that Germany would not accept the terms of any peace treaty, and therefore the British Government decided it would be wise to be able to quickly recall trained men in the eventuality of the resumption of hostilities. Soldiers who were being demobilised, particularly those who had agreed to serve "for the duration", were at first posted to Class Z. They returned to civilian life, but with an obligation to return if called upon. The Z Reserve was abolished on 31 March 1920."

Hope this helps

Gloria

[Light Bob]

Thanks again Gloria -

My fault for not reading to the bottom of the page.

It also covers the P Reserve which I came across researching the Silver War Badge. I wonder is soldiers released for essential war work have been entitled to this or must they also have been invalided

Brian

[gporta]

Thanks again Gloria -

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Pleased to help... Anyone here has always very helpful to me, so as far as my scarce knowledge on the matter allows me, I'm keen on helping too.

It also covers the P Reserve which I came across researching the Silver War Badge.  I wonder is  soldiers released for essential war work have been entitled to this or must they also have been invalided

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm not an expert on the matter, but I recommend you to use the search device at the top as I believe that the subject has been dealt with in previous threads. In "The Long, Long trail" they have a bit of info on the Silver War Badge: http://www.1914-1918.net/grandad/grandad8.htm

If my understanding of the matter is correct, I'd say that a man wore the Silver War Badge because, due to wounds or sickness, he was no longer fit for active service, while a P Reserve man was someone who entered in this category because his civilian skills were vital to the war effort, so as I see it there would be no need for him to be invalided, i.e.: a coal miner invalided from the army for wounds/sickness would evidently be equally unfit to go on with his mining work (or so it seems to me)

Gloria