Description:At the time this postcard picture was taken, the numbers of Army volunteers had started to dry up and conscription had been brought in. Before being allocated to a Regiment the recruits were given a cap badge of a red and white roundel, which looks like a fancy button. In the photograph they are mostly recruits with a roundel, there is one from the Leicestershire Regiment and several from the Northumberland Fusiliers. If you recognise anyone in the picture please contact us.
The Leicestershire Regiment - 53rd (Young Soldier) Battalion was formed on 27 October 1917 at Rugeley, Cannock Chase, from the 12th Young Soldier Battalion of the Training Reserve (previously the 13th Sherwood Foresters) and were then in the 1st Training Reserve Brigade. In November 1918 they moved to Clipstone, Nottinghamshire.
The Northumberland Fusiliers - 53rd (Young Soldier) Battalion was formed on 27 October 1917 at Rugeley, Cannock Chase, from the 5th Young Soldier Battalion (formerly 10th Leicester’s) as part of the 1st Reserve Brigade. In October 1918 they moved to Clipstone, Nottinghamshire.
Acknowledgement: thank you to Mr Trevor Warburton for the additional information.