Sherwood Foresters Militia

[wonkiewidge]

Hi,

I'm posting this for a friend of mine, (well distant relative really).

"Can anyone please explain why someone attesting" to join the Sherwood Foresters Militia (3rd Bttn.) in 1907 should obtain his "discharge by purchase" only a few days later?
Other than a sudden and drastic change in family circumstances, is there some technical reason for this? Maybe the answer could lie with the fact that on his attestation record he states that he already is a member of the 2nd Volunteer bttn. Sherwood Foresters."

Any help would be appreciated.

Linda

[km1971]

Hi Linda

The VBs, Militia and indeed the regular army were three entirely different organisations. A man thinking of joining the Regulars would often join the Militia first to see if he could take to it, as the price of purchasing a discharge was £1 or £2 compared to £10 or £20 for a Regular. If he decided to enlist in the Regulars he could get a free discharge from the Militia

The VB were referred to as 'Saturday night' soldiers as they only attended one evening a week and did a two week annual camp. Some were more like clubs and two of the VBs in the Liverpool Regiment for example had a selection process to go through and actually charged membership fees.  So membership of the VBs did not compare to either of he other two.

If he had stayed in the Militia he was committing to an initial 49 days training followed by 6 to 8 weeks each year for six years. And with the risk of being mobilized in the event of a war.

Ken

[wonkiewidge]

Thanks Ken,

I'll pass this on.

I had seen this on the Internet:

In 1908, the 3rd and 4th Battalions became part of the Special Reserve with
liabilities for overseas service, while the Volunteer Battalions became the 5th,
6th, 7th (Robin Hoods) and 8th Battalions of The Sherwood Foresters in the
newly formed Territorial Force, later renamed the Territorial Army.

Do you think this would have had anything to do with his decision? Or was this bttn. in one of the different organisations?

Linda

[km1971]

Hi Linda

No, in fact if he had stayed in until 1908 and said he did not want to transfer to the Special Reserve he would have got a free discharge.

Ken

[wonkiewidge]

Ok,

Thanks Ken.

Linda