The Artists at the

Outbreak of War
Artists Rifles Association

Membership in rifle volunteer regiments tended to

wax and wane with foreign threats to Britain.
Numbers peaked with the Boer War (1899-1902)
when over 19,000 volunteers actually saw service in
South Africa. The Artists Rifles provided 71 officers
and men for the City Imperial Volunteers which fought
Artists lost their lives during the war.

The Artists Rifles Detachment for the City Imperial

Volunteers (C.I.V.) photographed in 1900.

Artists Rifles Association

with distinction at Doornkop in May 1900. Three

The Haldane Reforms of 1908 made volunteer

regiments part of a new Territorial Force. In the event
of war they would free up regular troops by taking on
home defence duties. They could not be ordered
abroad but could volunteer for overseas service.

The Artists Rifles while at Camp near Petersfield, Hampshire

in 1908. They are wearing Boer War-style slouch hats.

Artists Rifles Association

Britain declared war on the 4th August 1914. The

Artists received their orders to mobilize the same day.
The Regiments strength of 621 was soon boosted by
old members keen to rejoin. Initial tasks included
guarding German and Austro-Hungarian prisoners at
Olympia and guard duties at the Tower of London.
New recruits flooded into the Dukes Road H.Q.
The Artists were one of the first Territorial Regiments

A group at the Tower of London in 1914.

Artists Rifles Association

to volunteer for foreign service. Once a 2nd Battalion

had been created to train troops at home the original
1st Battalion received orders to embark for France on
26th October 1914. Well-wishers saw them onto the
train at Watford where they departed for
Southampton. The following morning they sailed to
Boulogne aboard the Australind.

Preparing to travel in 1914.