recruitment in britain
With many believing the war would be over by Christmas, recruitment numbers were so high that men had to be turned away by recruitment officers and physical standards for the army were set high. In 1914, the British assumed that voluntary signing up would ensure an enlistment rate of 100 000 per month. Men signed up for the war to show their respect for the King and patriotism, peer pressure, and for the full time job it would give them.
By mid-November 1914, 700 000 men had volunteered, and by January 1915, 1.34 million men had volunteered.
Though, soon high physical requirements for a soldier were removed as casualties saw volunteer numbers decline to about 22 000 per week by mid 1915.
Lionel Ferguson, a British soldier, recounted his voluntary recruitment into the British army.
‘That afternoon I decided to join the Liverpool Scottish. What sights I saw on my way up to Frazer Street: a queue of men over two miles long in the Haymarket; the recruiting office took over a week to pass in all those thousands. At the Liverpool Scottish HQ things seemed hopeless; in fact I was giving up hopes of ever getting in, when I saw Rennison, an officer of the battalion, and he invited me into the mess, getting me in front of hundreds of others. I counted myself in luck to secure the last kilt, which although very old and dirty, I carried away to tog myself in.’ (1) Lionel Ferguson, joined the British Army in Liverpool, interview (1978)
The above source illustrates the enthusiasm for the war, prior to mass casualties. Though, this quickly transformed.
The number of recruits declined as the war went on and as the casualty rates continued to increase. No number of media censorship could stop potential recruits be reluctant to join the army. By 1916 there was a shortage of men volunteering to enlist and disillusion increased when no soldiers could associate participation with the war as 'great' or 'glorious.'
Conscription had to be introduced in 1916
Many members of society took it upon themselves to encourage men to enlist in the Army. Sir Harry Lauder toured music halls to recruit young men, even offering ‘ten pounds for the first recruit.’ Marie Lloyd sang a recruiting song I didn't like you much before you joined the army, John, but I do like you, cockie, now you've got yer khaki on - "Now You've Got the Khaki On"
Interesting Fact: Lord Kitchener’s campaign – promoted by his famous "Your Country Needs You" poster – had encouraged over one million men to enlist by January 1915. But this was not enough to keep pace with mounting casualties.
With many believing the war would be over by Christmas, recruitment numbers were so high that men had to be turned away by recruitment officers and physical standards for the army were set high. In 1914, the British assumed that voluntary signing up would ensure an enlistment rate of 100 000 per month. Men signed up for the war to show their respect for the King and patriotism, peer pressure, and for the full time job it would give them.
By mid-November 1914, 700 000 men had volunteered, and by January 1915, 1.34 million men had volunteered.
Though, soon high physical requirements for a soldier were removed as casualties saw volunteer numbers decline to about 22 000 per week by mid 1915.
Lionel Ferguson, a British soldier, recounted his voluntary recruitment into the British army.
‘That afternoon I decided to join the Liverpool Scottish. What sights I saw on my way up to Frazer Street: a queue of men over two miles long in the Haymarket; the recruiting office took over a week to pass in all those thousands. At the Liverpool Scottish HQ things seemed hopeless; in fact I was giving up hopes of ever getting in, when I saw Rennison, an officer of the battalion, and he invited me into the mess, getting me in front of hundreds of others. I counted myself in luck to secure the last kilt, which although very old and dirty, I carried away to tog myself in.’ (1) Lionel Ferguson, joined the British Army in Liverpool, interview (1978)
The above source illustrates the enthusiasm for the war, prior to mass casualties. Though, this quickly transformed.
The number of recruits declined as the war went on and as the casualty rates continued to increase. No number of media censorship could stop potential recruits be reluctant to join the army. By 1916 there was a shortage of men volunteering to enlist and disillusion increased when no soldiers could associate participation with the war as 'great' or 'glorious.'
Conscription had to be introduced in 1916
Many members of society took it upon themselves to encourage men to enlist in the Army. Sir Harry Lauder toured music halls to recruit young men, even offering ‘ten pounds for the first recruit.’ Marie Lloyd sang a recruiting song I didn't like you much before you joined the army, John, but I do like you, cockie, now you've got yer khaki on - "Now You've Got the Khaki On"
Interesting Fact: Lord Kitchener’s campaign – promoted by his famous "Your Country Needs You" poster – had encouraged over one million men to enlist by January 1915. But this was not enough to keep pace with mounting casualties.
Recruitment in Germany
Recruitment in Germany, similar to Britain, was not a problem in the early years of the war. This was accounted for by the compulsory military training that was introduced in 1871, and was still in place in 1914. Conscription obliged healthy male citizens to take part in a relatively brief period of military training in their youth and for the rest of their lives made them subject to refresher courses or for service in an emergency.
Therefore, the army was large, and they had many more men readily available in reserves. Similar to Britain, citizens of Germany felt pro-war, due to manipulation through propaganda and censorship.
Army reservists consisted of all men between 17- 45. Morale was high, as no men knew the true reality of war, and censorship played an important role for the government to encourage society to be pro-war.
Germany had the most well-trained army numbered with 800 000 men, and 4 million in reserves. The below photo of German recruits preparing to set off to Paris, shows the eagerness they encompassed and excitement for the adventure known as war.
Therefore, the army was large, and they had many more men readily available in reserves. Similar to Britain, citizens of Germany felt pro-war, due to manipulation through propaganda and censorship.
Army reservists consisted of all men between 17- 45. Morale was high, as no men knew the true reality of war, and censorship played an important role for the government to encourage society to be pro-war.
Germany had the most well-trained army numbered with 800 000 men, and 4 million in reserves. The below photo of German recruits preparing to set off to Paris, shows the eagerness they encompassed and excitement for the adventure known as war.
Want to find out more about recruitment and conscription? Watch the video below!