Rare WW1 Lord Derby Scheme Royal Navy Armband Rare

Stamped in side Issued by Authority of Admiralty No 11533

First World War period Derby scheme armband worn with civilian clothes by men who had formally attested for the Royal Navy. The scheme was introduced in October 1915 by Lord Derby, Director General of Recruiting, it was a final attempt to avoid full conscription. Men aged between 18 and 41 were asked to attest their willingness to serve, on the understanding that all single men would be called up before the youngest married volunteers. By the scheme's closing date in December 1915, more than a million single men had still failed to enlist, consequently compulsory military service was instituted in 1916.

Code: 54709