Terrirorial enlistments in 1914

[sugerand]

What happened to the territorials who enlisted in 1914 but opted not to go overseas until this became compulsory in 1916. Did they remain with their battalions and undergo preparation and training? This is with respect to the west Yorkshire Territorial Battalions.

Sue

[Graham Stewart]

SMC,

Territorials who enlisted in 1914 who did not take the "Imperial Service" obligation were transferred to second line battalions. At the same time anyone who enlisted in 1914 would have under gone the required training syllabus before being set overseas, whether opting for the I.S. or not. The notion that troops were not trained and set overseas is infact total fiction.

Graham.

[BeppoSapone]

What happened to the territorials who enlisted in 1914 but opted not to go overseas until this became compulsory in 1916. Did they remain with their battalions and undergo preparation and training? This is with respect to the west Yorkshire Territorial Battalions.

Sue

In "Goodbye To All That" Robert Graves mentions one RWF who would not volunteer for oversea's service.

The rest of the battalion tried to shame him into changing his mind. He had to wear a red coat rather than khaki, and was nicknamed "Robin" or "Red Breast". IIRC he had to do a lot of fatigues as well.