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London recruits at Southwark Town Hall, WW1
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London recruits at Southwark Town Hall, WW1
Crowds of men anxious to attest under the Derby scheme, crowded into the corridors of Southwark Town Hall in December 1915. Lord Derby, Director General of Recruiting in 1916 introduced the Derby scheme which encouraged men from the same offices or factories to join up together to form pals battalions. The scheme also divided men up into single and married and offered a war pension to those with dependents. As the prospect of conscription loomed, and with December 15th 1915 as the deadline for volunteering or attesting, recruitment offices found it difficult to cope with the crowds. Date: 1915
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Media ID 14143121
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Crowded Crowds Derby Joining Queue Recruiting Recruitment Recruits Scheme Southwark Volunteer Volunteering Attest Attestation Attesting
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In this evocative photograph from December 1915, a sea of anxious men crowd the corridors of Southwark Town Hall in London, eager to attest under the Derby scheme. With the prospect of conscription looming, Lord Derby, Director General of Recruiting, introduced the Derby scheme to encourage men from the same offices or factories to join up together and form pals battalions. The scheme also divided men into single and married, offering war pensions to those with dependents. As the deadline for volunteering or attesting approached on December 15th, 1915, recruitment offices found themselves overwhelmed by the crowds. The photograph captures the sense of urgency and anticipation as these British men, hailing from all walks of life, queue up to do their part for their country. The Derby scheme was a response to the mounting pressure to increase troop numbers for the First World War effort, with the Home Front bracing itself for the realities of the front line. The historical significance of this image lies in its portrayal of the collective spirit and determination of the British people during wartime. The men in the photograph, with their varied expressions and attire, serve as a poignant reminder of the human cost of war and the sacrifices made by ordinary people during times of conflict. This powerful image, taken in the heart of London, is a testament to the resilience and courage of the British people during World War I.
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