HISTORY OF ENLISTMENT

In the outbreak of the war Britain a very small but professional army. Numbering only a few hundred thousand. The army desperately needed to recruit an army able to survive the conflict ahead a match the forces of France and Germany. 

Therefore, a call went out to create a huge volunteer army. 

Half a million men enlisted in the first two months of the conflict. With millions more signing up throughout the war. 

Thousands of men joined up together creating the famous pals’ brigades. Soldiers joining together from factory’s, pubs, football teams and other places of work. The men came from all walks of life and class. 

Millions enlisted of the course of the war and most soldiers who enlisted in London passed through this barracks. Thousands were trained here specifically. However, most were processed through here before going on to basic training site across the country. 

Millions put their lives on hold during the first world war. This memorial attempts to honour that sacrifice of this period of their lives.