If some of those who
have so readily come forward have suffered inconvenience, they will not,
I am sure, allow their ardor to be damped. They will reflect that the
War Office has had in a day to deal with as many recruits as were
usually forthcoming in twelve months. No effort is being spared to meet
the influx of soldiers, and the War Office will do its utmost to look
after them and give them the efficient training necessary to enable them
to join their comrades in the field. The divisions of the first two
armies are now collected at our training centres; the third army is
being formed on new camping grounds; the fourth army is being created by
adding to the establishment of the reserve battalions, from which the
units will be detached and organized similarly to the other three
armies. The whole of the special reserve and extra special reserve units
will be maintained at their full establishments as feeders to the
expeditionary force. In addition to the four new armies a considerable
number of what may be designated local battalions have been specially
raised by the public-spirited initiative of cities, towns, or
individuals. Several more are in course of formation, and I have
received many offers of this character.
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