From 1859 to 1908 the Rifle Volunteers played an essential role in Britain s national defense, yet their history has been sadly neglected. Little information is available on these dedicated, amateur soldiers who were recruited into the ranks of a military organization that flourished across the country. But now, in this invaluable book, Ray Westlake, a leading authority on the military history of Victorian and Edwardian Britain, provides a concise, accessible introduction to the Rifle Volunteers and a comprehensive directory of the units raised in each county and each town."

In his Army Reforms of 1906/07 the Secretary of State for War, Richard Burdon Haldane, provided for an expeditionary force - the Regular Army supplemented by the old Militia - and a new organisation intended for home defence, the Territorial Force. This new 'Citizen's Army' was formed by the transfer of the Honourable Artillery Company, Imperial Yeomanry and Volunteer Force, all with many years of service and tradition. At the outbreak ofWorld War I, the Territorial Force was organised as per the Regular Army, with infantry battalions, artillery, engineers, supply and medical formations. This...