General approach
Territorial Force Regulations laid down the general principles to be applied.
“In drawing up schemes for the training of the Territorial Force it will be necessary to consider the circumstances of each particular unit, and to arrange an elastic system such as will adapt the means of instruction to the special condistions of every case.
“In the limited time available for the training of the Territorial Force in peace it is not to be expected, as a whole, itcan be trained up to the standard of the regular troops. The training should therefore be directed towards laying the foundation on which more extended training can be based, and should be confined wholly to such elements as are essential to success in war. It should aim at (a) producing an efficient body of officers and NCOs to serve both as instructors and leaders. (b) Thoroughly instructing the rank and file, at first individually and then in small tactical units.
“The training of the Territorial Force should be carried out continuously throughout the year, the groundwork of individual and sectional instructions being laid during the winter months with a view to the squadron, battery and company training which is to follow in the summer.
“The essential feature of efficient training is that it should be systematic and progressive, which can only be ensured by the adoption of the squadron, battery or company system as laid down in the various training manuals, under which regimental officers and NCOs are responsible to their CO for, and carry out entirely, the training and instruction of their own men.”
Recruits training
Men were trained in three ways: (1) by attending drills held at their unit’s normal base, (2) for all except men of the Royal Army Medical Corps, by completing a musketry (that is, rifle firing) course at a range, and (3) by attending annual camp. The latter would take place on dates between 1 May and 30 September and could last four four weeks, although individual soldiers would normally be expected to attend for only two weeks. Some units also held other, shorter, camps for completion of the musketry training.
A training drill would consist of one hour of instruction, and a unit might organise for its troops to have up to three drills in any one day.
Recruits were encouraged to carry out their drills in batches early in the year, so that their first annual training in camp may be the culimination and completion of this phase of training.
Men of Yeomanry units
- The following would apply to all rank and file and to NCOs of rank of Sergeant and above. The latter would also complete certain obligatory training courses as a minimum; certain voluntary training courses were also available.
- Preliminary training of 20 drills before the annual camp, of which 3 days of at least 3 consecutive hours in field instruction must form part; plus completion of the recruits’ course in musketry
- The recruit must, in addition to the above, attend the annual training in camp of his unit if it took place between his enlistment and the following 31 October.
- Annual training thereafter would require 10 drills to be performed before each camp (of which 30% minimum to be devoted to preliminary instruction in musketry); plus attendance at camp; plus the annual musketry course.
Men of Royal Artillery units
- The following would apply to all rank and file and to NCOs of rank of Sergeant and above. The latter would also complete certain obligatory training courses as a minimum; certain voluntary training courses were also available.
- Preliminary training of 45 drills, of which 30 must be before the annual camp; the man must obtain a certificate that he could ride a horse sufficiently well to carry out his duties, if he was in a mounted role; men of Royal Garrison Artillery Coast Defence Companies would also require completion of the recruits’ course in musketry
- The recruit must, in addition to the above, attend the annual training in camp of his unit if it took place between his enlistment and the following 31 October.
- Annual training thereafter would require 20 drills to be performed before each camp (of which 50% minimum would be outdoors); plus attendance at camp including gun practice when carried out; men of Royal Garrison Artillery Coast Defence Companies would also fire the annual musketry course.
Men of Royal Engineers units (except for the Signal Service)
- The following would apply to all rank and file and to NCOs of rank of Sergeant and above. The latter would also complete certain obligatory training courses as a minimum; certain voluntary training courses were also available.
- Men of Field Companies: Preliminary training of 40 drills before the annual camp; plus completion of the recruits’ course in musketry
- Men of Electric Light Companies: Preliminary training of 20 drills before the annual camp of which 12 were on electricl light and 8 on squad and company drill; plus completion of the recruits’ course in musketry
- Men of other types of Companies: Preliminary training of 45 drills, of which 20 must be before the annual camp; plus completion of the recruits’ course in musketry
- The recruit must, in addition to the above, attend the annual training in camp of his unit if it took place between his enlistment and the following 31 October.
- Men of Field Companies: Annual training thereafter would require 10 drills to be performed before each camp; plus attendance at camp; plus the annual musketry course.
- Men of Electric Light Companies: Annual training thereafter would require (for trained electric light engineers) 6 squad and company and 12 electric light drills to be performed before each camp (or for others) 20 drills; plus attendance at camp; plus the annual musketry course.
- Men of other types of Companies: Annual training thereafter would require 15 drills to be performed before each camp; plus attendance at camp; plus the annual musketry course.
Men of Royal Engineers units (Signal Service)
- The following would apply to all rank and file and to NCOs of rank of Sergeant and above. The latter would also complete certain obligatory training courses as a minimum; certain voluntary training courses were also available.
- Preliminary training of 45 drills, 20 of which to be before the annual camp; plus completion of the recruits’ course in musketry
- The recruit must, in addition to the above, attend the annual training in camp of his unit if it took place between his enlistment and the following 31 October.
- Annual training thereafter would require 15 drills to be performed before each camp; plus attendance at camp; plus the annual musketry course.
Men of infantry and cyclist units
- The following would apply to all rank and file and to NCOs of rank of Sergeant and above. The latter would also complete certain obligatory training courses as a minimum; certain voluntary training courses were also available.
- Preliminary training of 40 drills, 20 of which to be before the annual camp; plus completion of the recruits’ course in musketry
- The recruit must, in addition to the above, attend the annual training in camp of his unit if it took place between his enlistment and the following 31 October.
- Annual training thereafter would require 10 drills to be performed before each camp; plus attendance at camp; plus the annual musketry course.
Men of Army Service Corps units
- The following would apply to all rank and file and to NCOs of rank of Sergeant and above. The latter would also complete certain obligatory training courses as a minimum; certain voluntary training courses were also available.
- Men of the Horse Transport: Preliminary training of 20 mounted drills (riding and driving) and 8 drills on foot, all of which to be before the annual camp; plus completion of the recruits’ course in musketry
- Men of the Mechanical Transport: Preliminary training of 20 drills on foot, all of which to be before the annual camp; plus completion of the recruits’ course in musketry
- Men of the Supply section: Preliminary training of 8 drills on foot, all of which to be before the annual camp; plus completion of the recruits’ course in musketry. Clerks would also have 8 attendances at an ASC office for instruction in supply, clerical work, issuing, etc.
- All: The recruit must, in addition to the above, attend the annual training in camp of his unit if it took place between his enlistment and the following 31 October.
- All: Annual training thereafter would require 15 drills (of which at least 8 to be out of doors) to be performed before each camp; plus attendance at camp; plus the annual musketry course.
Men of Royal Army Medical Corps units
- The following would apply to all rank and file and to NCOs of rank of Sergeant and above. The latter would also complete certain obligatory training courses as a minimum; certain voluntary training courses were also available.
- Preliminary training of 42 attendances at drill and instruction, at least half to be before the annual camp. Of these, not less tha 20 would be instruction in first aid, nursing, etc.
- The recruit must, in addition to the above, attend the annual training in camp of his unit if it took place between his enlistment and the following 31 October; it was alternatively possible for the man to attend an 8-day course of instruction ata military hospital or other selected institution, but if he did this all of his 42 attendaces would have to precede it
- Annual training thereafter would require 10 drills to be performed before each camp, plus attendance at camp; or 10 attendances at his unit’s headquarters and a course at a selected institution such as the RAMC (TF) School. Selected men could forego the drills but must attend a course at that school and also attend annual camp.
- RAMC men on water duties or with transport would have a different training requirement.
Bandsmen
Those soldiers who were bandsmen of yeomanry and infantry units would only be required to attend half the drills specified above but would need them all to be before annual camp. They would also fire the musketry course.
Bandsman of all other types of unit would be trained as shown above.
