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Cornishmen at the Central Recruiting Office, WW1
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Cornishmen at the Central Recruiting Office, WW1
Scenes outside the Central Recruiting Office in Whitehall where around 200 Cornish men had travelled to London in order to enlist under the Derby Scheme in 1915. Note the famous, Take up the Sword of Justice recruitment poster either side of the entrance. Date: 1915
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Media ID 14166184
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
Cornish Derby Enlist Enlisting Joining Office Recruiting Recruitment Scheme Whitehall
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In the heart of London, at the Central Recruiting Office in Whitehall, around 200 brave Cornishmen gathered in 1915, eager to answer the call to arms and enlist under the Derby Scheme during the First World War. The Derby Scheme, also known as the "Ballot Scheme," was an attempt by the British government to encourage more men to join the army by introducing a system of compulsory military service for unmarried men between the ages of 18 and 38. The iconic "Take up the Sword of Justice" recruitment posters, featuring Lord Kitchener's stern gaze, flanked the entrance to the recruiting office, serving as a powerful reminder of the duty and responsibility that these Cornishmen were about to undertake. The posters, which were designed to inspire patriotism and encourage enlistment, had become a symbol of the war effort and were displayed prominently in towns and cities across the country. The Cornishmen, many of whom were dressed in their traditional attire, had travelled long distances to reach the capital, driven by a sense of duty, a desire to protect their families and communities, and a determination to contribute to the war effort. The scene outside the Central Recruiting Office was a poignant reminder of the sacrifices being made by ordinary men and women across Britain during this pivotal moment in history. As the men filed into the recruiting office, they would undergo a series of medical and physical tests, before being assigned to regiments and sent to training camps to prepare for the front lines. The Cornishmen, like so many others, were about to embark on a journey that would change their lives forever, and the course of history. This powerful image captures a moment of determination and resolve, as these brave men from Cornwall take the first step on their journey to the trenches of the Western Front.
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