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The process and timing of the demobilisation
of a soldier after the war depended on his
terms of service. Soldiers
of the regular army who were still serving their normal period of
colour service remained in the army until their years were done.
Men who had volunteered or who were conscripted for war service generally
followed the routine described below. Although pretty well everyone
wanted to go home at once, it was simply not possible. Not only would
it have been practically impossible to process all men in a short
period of time but the British army still had commitments it had
to fulfill, in Germany, North Russia and in the garrisons of Empire.
Men with scarce industrial skills (including moners) were released
early; those who had volunteered early in the war were given priority
treatment, leaving the conscripts - particularly the 18 year olds
of 1918 - until last. Even so, most of the war service men were back
in civilian life by the end of 1919.
Before the soldier left
his unit he was medically
examined and given Army Form Z22, which allowed him to make a claim
for any form of disability arising from his military service. He
was also given an Army Form Z44 (Plain Clothes Form) and a Certificate
of Employment showing what he had done in the army, Z18. A Dispersal
Certificate recorded personal and military information and also the
state of his equipment. If he lost any of it after this point, the
value would be deducted from his outstanding pay.
He was not allowed to bring back
to the UK any Belgian or locally issued French banknotes. Official
government-issued French or Italian banknotes could be taken
home and exchanged for Sterling at a Post Office. If he was returning
from any other theatre of war he had to change the local currency
into a Postal Order at an Army Post Office.
The soldier would spend some time
in a transit camp - an Infantry Base Depot - near the coast before
being warned for a homeward sailing.
The man would then move to a Dispersal Centre.
This was a hutted or tented camp or barracks and was in the UK.
Here he received a Z3, Z11 or Z12 Protection Certificate and a
railway warrant or ticket to his home station. This certificate
enabled the man to receive medical attantion if necessary during
his final leave.
This
other ranks Z11 Protection Certificate was kindly submitted by
Graham Stewart. This man was being demobilised at Chiseldon
Camp in Wiltshire in January 1919. Note the three Post Office
rubber stamp marks, denoting his visits to pick up his final
pay.
This officer's Z3 Protection Certificate was kindly submitted by
Graham Stewart
He got too an Out-of-work Donation Policy, which
insured him against unavoidable unemployment of up to 26 weeks
in the 12 months following demob. He received in addition an advance
of pay, a fortnight's ration book and also a voucher - Army Form
Z50 - for the return of his greatcoat to a railway station during
his leave. He could choose to have either a clothing allowance
of 52 shillings and sixpence or be provided with a suit of plain
clothes. If he chose the latter he would hand in his Z44. His final
leave began the day after he was dispersed. He left to go home,
still in uniform and with his steel helmet and greatcoat.
With thanks to Graham Stewart
for this image of Form Z50. This is evidence of a rather late demobilisation,
in January 1920.
While on
final leave he was still
technically a soldier although could now go about in plain clothes.
Legally he could not wear his uniform after 28 days from dispersal.
During leave he had to go to a railway station to hand in his
greatcoat. For this he was paid £1. This was counted as
part of his war or service gratuity payment. Any other payments
due to him were sent in three instalments by Money Orders or
Postal Drafts. These could be cashed at a Post Office on production
of the Protection Certificate. The man could also take his Demobilisation
Ration Book to the nearest Food Office and exchange it for an
Emergency Card, which he could later exchange for a civilian
Ration Book.
Some men could claim
repatriation to an Overseas British Possession or a Foreign Country.
The man completed Army Form AF.Z7 to do this.
As long as the Military Serivce
Act was enforced, all men who was liable for service under the
Act who was not remaining with the colours in the regular army,
or who had not been permanantly discharged, or who was not on a
Special Reserve or Territorial Force Reserve engagement, was discharged
into Class Z Army Reserve and liable to recall in the event of
a grave national emergency. His designated place of rejoining was
shown on his Protection Certificate and Certificate of Final Demobilisation. More
about Class Z Reserve
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