Old men
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I wonder why, at the beginning of the war (November 14) there are soldiers who are unfit for duty, due to their age. I suppose they were no volunteers because those were thoroughly screened?
Posted
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by
ral104
moderator, scientist
I guess these would have been reservists who were called up for duty at the start of the war. There's useful information about reservists here: http://www.1914-1918.net/reserve.htm
Posted
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Another article re men who were too old or unfit .
As the Territorial regiments' first and second line battalions were prepared for active service, those who had opted for home service or were unfit were formed into Provisional Battalions that in turn formed the 71st, 72nd and 73rd Home Service Divisions. On 1 January 1917, the remaining Provisional battalions were renamed Home Service Territorial Battalions of the Infantry Regiments. In addition, regular army infantry soldiers who were too old or unfit to serve overseas were formed into (Home Service) Garrison Battalions, which became part of the Royal Defence Corps.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_Service_BattalionsPosted
