11 Summary of the Military Service Act, 1916

In the first few months of the war many thousands of men enlisted voluntarily. Despite this, the unprecedented losses in the first year of the war meant that there were not enough volunteer recruits to fill the ranks. By summer 1915 it seemed likely that conscription would be introduced. In July 1915 the government introduced the National Registration Act. This required that the details of all men and women aged up to 65 were entered onto a register. This was followed in autumn by the Derby Scheme. Under the scheme all eligible men were expected to affirm their commitment to military service. The Military Service Act was finally passed in January 1916. It imposed conscription on all single men aged 18-41. A further Act was passed in May 1916 that extended conscription to married men. Exemptions could be granted under the Act for individuals who objected to combatant service for conscientious reasons.