A Royal Warrant signed 30 July 1914 introduced what amounted to emergency conditions for short-term recruitment of civilians into the regular army. It was signed a few days before Great Britain declared war, but at the height of crisis. It also pre-dated the introduction of new “short service” conditions for the raising of Lord Kitchener;s New Armies. The Warrant was published by the War Office on 4 August 1914.
Special enlistment in the regular army of civilians for various services on mobilisation
Men serving in the Special Reserve or Territorial Force were not eligible for the new terms.
Enlistments were to be for one year, or if the war lasted longer then for the duration of the war. If the war lasted less than a year, the men would be discharged as soon as possible. Men employed by hospitals, remount depots, veterinary hospitals and as clerks, may be retained after the termination of hostilities until their services could be spared, but in no case would their retention exceed six months. All enlistments would be for general service.
Men enlisted must be not less than 20 or more than 40 years of age (or in the case of clerks, labourers and mechanical transport personnel, 45 years). Armament artificers who were already in receipt of a pension could be enlisted up to 55 years of age, if approval was given by Army Ordnance Corps records.
The proceedings on enlistment and the conditions as to physical requirements were the same as for ordinary recruits for the corps concerned, although there was to be no minimum height for clerks as long as they were otherwise fit.
Men wishing to enlist as motorcyclists must bring their own overalls, gauntlets and goggles if possible, for which they would receive an allowance of 15 Shillings. Their motorcycles, fully equipped with spare parts and valise, should be brought for inspection; they would be taken over at a valuation, or the man provided with an army machine.
Preference was to be given to unmarried men. Married men must signify their willingness to allot one-third of their army pay towards a separation allowance for their wife and dependents.
Men enlisting for appointment as artificers must undergo a test of their trade skills.
Clerks would be required to provide satisfactory proof of relevant qualifications. In the case of the Army Pay Corps, preference would be given to men with experience of cash accounting.
Men wishing to join the Royal Army Medical Corps who were qualified as dispensers were required the minor certificate of the Pharmaceutical Society or a similar diploma. Attendants in skiagraphy (radiotherapy), electrotherapy, mental attendants, operating room attendants, and laboratory attendants were required to produce satisfactory evidence of qualification from a hospital, laboratory, other institution or employer. Applications for appointment as hospital subordinates would be required to produce evidence of nursing or proficiency in first aid or ambulance work from recognised organisations.
Free rations of bread, meat and groceries, at home or overseas, would be provided, as would accommodation, fuel and light. Clothing and necessaries would also be issued free.
A bounty of £5 would be paid to the enlisted soldier on final approval; £10 for a motorcyclist.
Rates of pay would be as follows. All would be enlisted as Privates, and should they be promoted they would then draw the appropriate pay of their rank and corps.
- Foreman artificers 10 Shillings per day;
- Coppersmiths, carpenters and joiners, electricians, patternmakers, riveters, coopers and draughtsmen 7 Shillings and sixpence per day;
- Wood turners, farriers, painters, tinsmiths, wheelers, sailmakers, fitters, turners, blacksmiths, boilermakers, oxy-acetylene welders, whitesmiths, moulders, drivers of mechanically-propelled vehicles, dispensers and operating room attendants 6 Shillings per day;
- Motorcyclists 5 Shillings per day;
- Cooks, bakers, tailors, horse transport drivers, hammermen, boilermaker’s mates, storeman, butchers, laboratory and mental attendants, attendants in skiagraphy and electrotherapy, hospital subordinates and clerks 4 Shillings per day;
- Labourers and loaders 3 Shillings per day.
On discharge, unless for misconduct, the man would receive a gratuity of £5 plus whatever war gratuity may be later announced. The men would be eligible for disability pension, or should they die while in service their families would be pensioned, in accordance with the standard pay warrant.