Territorials in 1915 by Dr Bill Mitchinson

10 September 2019

The WFA's Youtube channel continues to attract interest, with over 2600 subscribers. 

In the latest video that has just been launched, Dr Bill Mitchinson talks about the Territorial Force in 1915.

In early 1915, there were about 39 Territorial battalions in France, which amounted to about a quarter of the BEF. The rapid expansion of the army in France diluted this percentage of TF battalions, but further divisions of territorials arrived during 1915, and even into 1917.

How efficient were these 'weekend' soldiers and did they contribute effectively to the British Army's battles in the early part of the war?

Using examples of contemporary reports, were some of these units 'hopeless' or did the regional cohesion of these units give them a degree of superiority in effectiveness over other war-time raised battalions?

If you enjoy this video, please subscribe to our YouTube channel !

Latest news

Iln Crop
16 July 2026

Drawn on the Western Front: Paul Sarrut and the Indian Army

Read more
Saxifrage2 Iwm Edit
12 July 2026

One of the Great War’s last three warships to be scrapped

Read more
447962 Edit
4 July 2026

Deep Heritage: cathodic protection for Dardanelles wrecks

Read more
USCGC Tampa (Ex Miami)
4 July 2026

Discovery of USCGC Tampa

Read more
AMP26 0611 FIND Compacted Material From Hessian Sandbags In Trench 1 2 E1781256968487 816X627
24 June 2026

Surprise discovery of practice trenches at Ampthill recalls a Bedfordshire training camp

Read more
110 Cover
17 June 2026

Somme 110: Free digital magazine to commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of the Somme

Read more