Reservists Collection

Our ?Little Contemptibles?, 1914.Oil on canvas by William Barns Wollen (1857-1936), 1918 (c); exhibited at the Royal Academy 1918 (No 260).Composed of regular soldiers and reservists

The Queen reviewing the Wives and Children of Life Guards and Reservists at the Front, at the Victoria Barracks
1592972 The Queen reviewing the Wives and Children of Life Guards and Reservists at the Front, at the Victoria Barracks, Windsor (litho) by Begg

Her Soldiers Children, the Queen distributing Gifts from her Christmas Tree at Windsor to the Wives
1593064 Her Soldiers Children, the Queen distributing Gifts from her Christmas Tree at Windsor to the Wives and Families of Guards and Reservists now at the Front (engraving) by Begg

105mm Light Artillery Guns at Military Pageant
A battery of 105mm Light Artillery guns manned by 103 Regiment (V) Royal Artillery opens fire during a military pageant. The versatile 105mm light gun is used by the parachute

HMAS Yarra - River-Class Torpedo Destroyer
Royal Australian Navy - HMAS Yarra / HMS Yarra, a River-Class Torpedo Destroyer, making way at speed, on the River Clyde during manufacturers trials in 1910. Yarra was built by William Denny & Bros

Reservists in camp during the French Armys grand manoeuvres (colour litho)
2807832 Reservists in camp during the French Armys grand manoeuvres (colour litho) by Lix, Frederic Theodore (1830-97) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

Halte d un train transportant des reservistes en Mandchourie (colour litho)
2787181 Halte d un train transportant des reservistes en Mandchourie (colour litho) by Malespine, L. (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

The King and his South African Veterans, the Guards marching past His Majesty, 27 October (litho)
1601172 The King and his South African Veterans, the Guards marching past His Majesty, 27 October (litho) by Woodville, Richard Caton II (1856-1927) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

French reservists enjoying lunch in London, September 1939
French reservists enjoying their lunch and wine under the cover of the trees of Bedford Square as they wait to register for service

French reservists marching through Paris, September 1939
French reservists marching through Vincennes, Paris in early September 1939, following the outbreak of war. The Sphere describes Vincennes as the famous fortress district of Paris due to its fortress

WWII Post Office reservists, September 1939
Post office reservists of the Royal Corps of Signals arriving in London to augment the telephone and communications staff in government offices in the early days of the Second World War. Date: 1939

The call of the reservists to Russia, the departure for the war opposed by families (colour litho)
2798826 The call of the reservists to Russia, the departure for the war opposed by families (colour litho) by Beltrame, Achille (1871-1945); Private Collection; (add.info)

"Cheers for the Queen", the Citys Farewell Reception to Reservists of the Royal Fusiliers (litho)
1043437 " Cheers for the Queen", the Citys Farewell Reception to Reservists of the Royal Fusiliers (litho) by Spence, Percy F.S

The War in South Africa (litho)
1599684 The War in South Africa (litho) by Stewart, Frank Algenon (1877-1945); Private Collection; (add.info.: The War in South Africa. Illustration for The Illustrated London News, 26 May 1900)

The War Employment Bureau, Reservists Families at "Stanley House, "Forest Hill (b / w photo)
1601040 The War Employment Bureau, Reservists Families at " Stanley House, " Forest Hill (b/w photo) by English Photographer

The French Call to Arms: Reservists joining the Colours in Paris, 1920. Creator: Unknown
The French Call to Arms: Reservists joining the Colours in Paris, c1914, (c1920). Street singers and others joining up at the beginning of the First World War

Exodus of Germans at Liverpool Street Station, WW1
Off to the Front: Exodus of Germans at Liverpool Street Station on the August bank holiday evening, at the start of the First World War

German reservists arrested at Folkestone, August 1914, WW1
German reservists marching under armed guard after being arrested at Folkestone when they were about to embark for Flushing

Serbian reservists at the beginning of World War I
While the bombardment by the Austrians of the Serbian capital, Belgrade, was proceeding, Serbia rapidly called on her reservists

Naval reserves called up at the outbreak of World War I
Naval reforms inaugurated by Lord Fisher included the establishment of a Naval Reserve which could be added to the strength of the fleet whenever was necessary

Austrian Reservists
At the Austro-Hungarian Consulate in London, Austrian Reservists answer the call to arms following the outbreak of war Date: August 1914

Imperial Palace Berlin
On the brink of war. The scene at the Imperial Palace, Berlin on the evening of 31 July 1914, as Kaiser Wilhelm II addresses the gathered crowd from a balcony

Mobilisation of German Reservists
Following the declaration of war on Russia on 1 August, German Reservists respond to the mobilisation call and board a train to take them to the war zone. Date: August 1914

German Reservists at London Consulate
At their Consulate in Bedford Place, London, German Reservists gather following the mobilisation order. Germany declared war on Russia on 1 August. Date: August 1914

U. S. Marine Corps reservists in camouflage and gas masks assisting each other with
Hawthorne Army Depot, Nevada, June 12, 2009 - U.S. Marine Corps reservists assist each other with their hood straps after mop level is raised from Mission Oriented Protective Posture Level 3 to

French reservists at Verdun await orders - WWI
French reserve forces behind the front line at Verdun await their orders. Date: circa 1916

War Reserve policemen, London
A group of War Reserve policemen in London pose for their photograph during the Second World War. They are wearing tin helmets and striped armbands

German reserve troops WWI
Called up reservists in Berlin, Germany during World War I

German training in New Guinea WWI
Native troops being trained by German reservists in New Guinea during World War I

French mobilisation
This picture, smuggled into London, show Marines on arrival in Brest to board their respective ships. French ships have been massing in Brest, a big naval base

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Reservists: The Unsung Heroes of War In the midst of chaos and uncertainty, they stood tall - our "Little Contemptibles", as they were affectionately called in 1914. These brave men answered the call to serve their country, leaving behind their families and loved ones to defend our freedom. From the deck of HMAS Yarra, a River-Class Torpedo Destroyer, these reservists embarked on perilous journeys across treacherous waters. Their unwavering determination was matched only by their camaraderie and loyalty towards one another. At military pageants, we witnessed their prowess with awe as they skillfully operated the 105mm Light Artillery Guns. The Queen herself took pride in reviewing the wives and children of Life Guards and Reservists at Victoria Barracks in Windsor - a poignant reminder that behind every soldier stands a strong support system. During Christmas time, Her Majesty distributed gifts from her tree at Windsor to the wives and families of guards and reservists stationed at the frontlines. It was an engraving etched forever in our hearts - a symbol of gratitude for those who sacrificed so much for our nation's safety. Even during grand maneuvers by the French Army or halts along train routes transporting reservists in Mandchourie, these soldiers displayed resilience amidst adversity. They marched proudly through Paris while being cheered on by grateful citizens who recognized their invaluable contribution. As World War II loomed over Europe, post office reservists joined forces with other servicemen to protect what we hold dear. September 1939 saw French reservists enjoying lunch in London before heading back into battle once more. But it wasn't just husbands bidding farewell; entire families faced heart-wrenching separations when they were called upon to fight for Russia's cause during war times. A color litho captured this emotional departure scene where love clashed with duty. Through it all, King George V stood alongside his South African veterans, watching as the guards marched past him.