Derby Scheme facts for kids
The Derby Scheme was a special plan used in Britain during World War I in 1915. It was named after Edward Stanley, 17th Earl of Derby, who helped create it. The main goal of the scheme was to encourage men to join the army voluntarily.
Even though the scheme convinced many single men and married men to sign up, the war needed even more soldiers. Because of this, a new law called the Military Service Act was passed in 1916. This law made joining the army compulsory, meaning men had to join whether they wanted to or not.
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Why the Derby Scheme Was Needed
By the middle of 1915, World War I had been going on for longer than people expected. The British army needed many more soldiers to keep fighting. So, the Derby Scheme was created to find out how many men could be convinced to join.
How the Scheme Worked
The plan involved people called 'canvassers' visiting eligible men at their homes. Their job was to persuade these men to volunteer for war service.
Every man aged 18 to 41 who was not working in a "starred" (essential) job was part of the scheme. Essential jobs were those important for the country, like working in factories that made weapons. Each man had to publicly declare if he would join the army right away or wait to be called later. Some men went to the recruiting office immediately after the scheme was announced, not wanting to wait.
The Canvassers' Role
The process started with special cards from a national registry. These cards were sent to local recruiting committees. These committees then chose 'canvassers' who they thought were "tactful and influential." These canvassers were usually men who were not old enough to serve or had already been discharged from the army. Fathers of soldiers already serving were also very good at persuading men.
Each man visited by a canvasser received a letter from the Earl of Derby. The letter explained the program and said that Britain was "fighting... for its very existence." When faced with a canvasser, each man had to decide for himself whether to agree to join the forces.
What Happened When Men Joined
Men who agreed to join had to go to a recruiting office within 48 hours. Some were even taken there right away to make sure they went. If they passed a medical check, they were sworn into the army and received a small payment.
Men who chose to wait until later were put into a special army reserve group. Everyone who enlisted, or who was rejected, or who had an essential job, received a khaki armband with the Royal Crown. This armband showed that they had taken part in the scheme. This practice stopped once compulsory conscription began in January 1916.
Grouping Soldiers
Information about each man who enlisted was copied onto a white card. This card was used to put him into one of 46 different age groups, separated by single and married men. The promise was that only entire groups would be called for active service, and they would get 14 days' notice. Single men's groups would be called before married men's groups. If a man got married after the scheme started, he was still counted as single. Married men were told their group would not be called if not enough single men joined – unless conscription was introduced.
Outcome of the Scheme
The Derby Scheme ran during November and December 1915. It successfully got 318,553 single men who were fit for service to join. However, many men still did not enlist. About 38% of single men and 54% of married men resisted the pressure to join the war.
Because the British Government needed a steady supply of new soldiers to replace those lost in battle, they had to take further action. On January 27, 1916, they passed the Military Service Act 1916. This law officially started conscription, making military service mandatory for many men.
See also
- Lord Kitchener Wants You
