How were soldiers recruited in World War One? | History for Year 6 PDF Download

How were people persuaded to join the army?

• In August 1914, Lord Kitchener, Britain’s Secretary of State for War, recognized the need for a larger army and launched a direct appeal to British men. Iconic recruitment posters featured him pointing at passersby, urging them to enlist. 
• These posters stirred a sense of pride and duty, encouraging men to fight for their country. The campaign was massive: 54 million posters were distributed, 8 million letters were sent, 12,000 meetings were held, and 20,000 speeches were delivered by military representatives. 
• The response was immediate, with 100 men enlisting every hour (3,000 daily) during the first weekend of the war. By the end of 1914, 1,186,337 men had joined the armed forces.

Who could join the army?

The government aimed to recruit as many men as possible voluntarily. However, by 1916, voluntary enlistment wasn’t enough, and conscription was introduced, legally requiring men to join the military regardless of their personal wishes.

Only men aged between 18 and 41 could become soldiers. (The age limit was increased to 51 in April 1918.)

The Accrington Pals

One notable group was the Accrington Pals, a battalion of approximately 700 men from Lancashire. When they departed from Accrington, over 15,000 locals lined the streets, waving flags and cheering. Tragically, on July 1, 1916, during the Battle of the Somme, 235 of the Pals were killed and over 350 wounded in just 20 minutes. The devastating loss deeply affected Accrington, with some families losing all their men in a single day.

Who were conscientious objectors?

Around 16,000 men, known as conscientious objectors, refused to fight due to moral or religious beliefs, citing that their consciences prevented them from killing. Some were assigned non-combat roles, such as farming or serving as stretcher-bearers on battlefields. Others faced imprisonment, where they often endured harsh treatment.

A group called The Order of the White Feather tried to make men feel ashamed.

White feathers

A white feather became a symbol of cowardice, used to shame men not in uniform. These were handed out in public places like streets or buses to pressure men into enlisting. This practice was often unfair, as many men had valid reasons for not serving, such as health issues or essential civilian roles.

How did life change?

The war led to millions of British men being injured or killed, creating a constant need for new recruits. Recruitment became a central part of daily life. By the war’s end, nearly one-quarter of Britain’s male population had served in the armed forces.