Lord Derby Scheme certificate issued to Mr. F. Parker

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A.W. Ford & Co. Ltd

1915

Overview

Framed and glazed, rectangular, cream coloured certificate with blue text and symbols issued to Mr F. Parker by the Bristol Citizen's Recruiting Committee on December 11, 1915.
The frame comprises black painted timber on the outside, a wider section of tartan patterned fabric and then a gold inner frame.
The certificate features the Royal Crest and the letters 'O.H.M.S.' (On His Majesty's Service) at the top alongside 'No. 51', presumably the certificate number.
It is addressed to Mr. F Parker and signed by 4 members of the Committee.
The printer's details appear at the bottom of the certificate.

Historical information

The Lord Derby Scheme armbands were worn by men who had formally volunteered for Army Service but who had yet to be issued with a uniform.
The scheme was introduced in November 1915 by Lord Derby, Edward Stanley, 17th Earl of Derby (1865–1948) after which it was named. He was Lord Kitchener's choice for Director General of Recruiting.
The scheme represented a final attempt to avoid full-scale Conscription.
Men aged between 18 & 41 were asked to attest their readiness to serve in the British Army, on the understanding that all single men would be called up before the youngest married volunteers.
Unfortunately by the scheme’s closing date of December 1915, more than a million men had failed to come forward, resulting in compulsory military service being introduced in January 1916.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-119-RoW00260

Item type

Certificates

Collectibles

Ephemera

Themes

Social History
War and Conflict
War and Conflict > World War 1

Material

Width

305 mm

Height or length

355 mm

Depth

16 mm

Inscriptions and markings

"O.H.M.S. NO. 51
Bristol Citizen's Recruiting Committee
COLSTON HALL, BRISTOL"

"11th December, 1915"

"Dear Mr. F. Parker
On behalf of this Committee we ask you to accept
this letter as a token of deep appreciation of the
help you have rendered them in connection with
the Special Recruiting Movement which closes
to-day, and which has become popularly known
as "Lord Derby's Scheme."

The Country has undertaken an enormous task in
attempting in a few short weeks to organise its available fight-
ing forces and labour, and you have rendered the greatest
possible assistance to His Majesty King George V and your
Country by so devotedly assisting this Committee in their
share of this great work.

We ask you to sign acknowledgement of this letter in
order that your signature may be enrolled on the Minutes
of this Committee.

Yours faithfully,
for and on behalf of
THE BRISTOL CITIZEN'S RECRUITING COMMITTEE"

Barclay J. Baron
Lord Mayor, Vhairman

Unknown name
Acting Chairman

Unknown name
Major, Recruiting Officer

? Steele
Lt. Col. R.A.M.C."

"Printed by A.W. Ford & Co. Ltd., Bristol"

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