No. 3 Company, Public Schools Battalion, The Royal Fusiliers, in civilian dress, Ashstead, August 1914

Postcard, World War One, Home Front (1914-1918), 1914.

Lord Kitchener's initial appeals for recruits for his 'New Armies' were met with incredible enthusiasm throughout Great Britain. One of the great successes of the initial recruitment drive was the formation of so-called 'Pal's Battalions'. The recruiters felt the established friendship of neighbours and workmates would make men more willing to enlist together. The Public Schools Brigade, part of the Royal Fusiliers, was a classic example.

Collected by Fletcher Brewer, who joined the Public Schools Battalion Royal Fusiliers as a private soldier, and was later commissioned into the Army Service Corps, 1914-1919.