Welsh Regiment - Organisation and Order of Battle in the Great War

Service Battalions. By spring 1915 it had become clear that voluntary recruitment was not going to provide the numbers of men required. The Government passed the National Registration Act on 15th July 1915 as a step towards stimulating recruitment and to discover how many men between the ages of 15 and 65 were engaged in each trade. The results of this census became available by mid-September 1915 and on 11th October 1915, Lord Derby was appointed Director-General of Recruiting. He brought forward a scheme five days later, always called the Derby Scheme, for raising the numbers. It was half-way to conscription. Disappointed at the results of the Derby Scheme, the Government introduced the Military Service Act on 27 January 1916. All voluntary enlistment was stopped as all British males were now deemed to have enlisted - that is, they were conscripted - if they were aged between 18 and 41 and resided in Great Britain (excluding Ireland) and were unmarried or a widower on 2 November 1915. Conscripted men were no longer given a choice of which service, regiment or unit they joined, although if a man preferred the navy it got priority to take him. This act was extended to married men on 25 May 1916.

The Training Organisation, based on the Regimental Reserve Battalions could not cope with the sheer number of conscripted men now available and a new system was put in place on 1st September 1916 to deal with these numbers. All New-Army Regimental Reserve Battalions would lose their Regimental identity and become a Battalion of the Training Reserve. The role of these Battalions was to train new recruits for active service and despatch drafts to fighting Battalions overseas:

20th (Reserve) Battalion (3rd Rhondda). Formed at St Asaph in July 1915 as a Second Reserve Battalion, to recruit, train and supply reinforcements to 10th and 13th Battalions Welsh Regiment. Became 61st Training Reserve Battalion on 1st September 1916 in 13th Reserve Brigade.
21st (Reserve) Battalion. Formed at Colwyn Bay in July 1915 as a Second Reserve Battalion, to recruit, train and supply reinforcements to 14th, 15th, 16th and 19th Battalions Welsh Regiment. Became 60th Training Reserve Battalion on 1st September 1916 in 13th Reserve Brigade.
22nd (Reserve) Battalion. Formed at Prees Heath in September 1915 as a Second Reserve Battalion, to recruit, train and supply reinforcements to 17th and 18th Battalions Welsh Regiment. Became 66th Training Reserve Battalion on 1st September 1916 in 14th Reserve Brigade.

More Reorganisations.

Training Reserve Battalions. In 1917 the Training Reserve (TR) was re-organised to provide better and more specialised training for recruits and a total of 14 TR Battalions were designated "Young Soldier" and "Graduated" Battalions. This system saw these new Young Soldier Battalions take in and trains 18 year olds recruits and train them step by step until the recruits could be posted , in Company strength, to Graduated Battalions for further training until ready to be sent to active service units. In October 1917, these Battalions were affiliated to Regiments of the Line and in the Welsh Regiment the new units formed were:

51st (Graduated) Battalion. Formed on 27th October 1917 from 226th Graduated Battalion (formerly 63rd Training Reserve Battalion) at Halesworth, Suffolk, part of 203rd Brigade, 68th Division. Would later be posted to the Rhineland part of the British Army of Occupation.
52nd (Graduated) Battalion. Formed on 27th October 1917 from 234th Graduated Battalion (formerly 65th Training Reserve Battalion) at Herringfleet, Suffolk, part of 205th Bde, 68th Division. Would later be posted to the Rhineland part of the British Army of Occupation.
53rd (Young Soldier) Battalion. Formed on 27th October 1917 at Kinmel Park from 64th Young Soldier Battalion, part of 14th (Reserve) Bde. Would later be posted to the Rhineland part of the British Army of Occupation.

Territorial Force (TF)

24th (Pembroke and Glamorgan Yeomanry) Battalion (TF). Assembled at El Arish, Egypt on 4th March 1917 from personnel of the dismounted Pembroke Yeomanry and Glamorgan Yeomanry in 231st Brigade, 74th (Yeomanry) Division.

Service Battalions

25th (Service) Battalion. Formed at North Walsham, Norfolk on 1st June 1918 and absorbed by the reconstituted 18th (Service) Battalion Welsh Regiment on 20th June 1918.

Battalion	Formed	Brigade	Division	Other Assignments	Notes and Post War
1st Battalion	Regular battalion	Dehra Dun Brigade	Meerut Division	To 84th Bde/28th Div, 22 Dec 14	Based at Chakrata at Declaration of War. Returned to UK and to BEF 22nd December 1914 under command of 84th Brigade/ 28th Division. The Battalion with the Division was redeployed to Egypt then Salonika on 24th November 1915, where it remained for duration of war. Reconstituted and remained a regular Battalion after the war.
2nd Battalion	Regular battalion	3rd Brigade	1st Division	-	Based at Bordon at Declaration of War. To BEF 13th August 1914. Served in France and Flanders for duration of was. Reconstituted and remained a regular Battalion after the war.
4th Battalion TF (formed 1/4th Battalion TF and 2/4th Battalion TF in September 1914)	Carmarthen - 1908	South Wales Brigade TF	Welsh Division TF	To 159th Bde/53rd Welsh Div, 17 Apr 15	1/4th Battalion TF was formed on reorganisation of 4th Battalion TF. To Forth and Tay Defences in February 1915. To 159th Bde/53rd Welsh Div 17th April 1915. Landed Gallipoli 9th August 1915. Amalgamated with 1/5th Battalion Welsh Regiment on 8th October 1915 to form 4th Welsh Composite Battalion. Reverted to original identity on 10th February 1916. Moved to EEF 11th December 1915 for operations in Egypt and Palestine. On 3rd July 1918 the two Battalions again merged to form 4/5th Battalion TF. Remained in Palestine until end of war.
5th Battalion TF (formed 1/5th Battalion TF and 2/5th Battalion TF in September 1914)	Pontypridd - September 1914	South Wales Brigade TF	Welsh Division TF	To 159th Bde/53rd Welsh Div, 17 Apr 15.	1/5th Battalion TF was formed on reorganisation of 5th Battalion TF. To Forth and Tay Defences in February 1915. To 159th Bde/53rd Welsh Div 17th April 1915. Landed Gallipoli 9th August 1915. Amalgamated with 1/4th Battalion Welsh Regiment on 8th October 1915 to form 4th Welsh Composite Battalion. Reverted to original identity on 10th February 1916. Moved to EEF 11th December 1915 for operations in Egypt and Palestine. On 3rd July 1918 the two Battalions again merged to form 4/5th Battalion TF. Remained in Palestine until end of war.
6th Battalion TF (formed 1/6th Battalion TF and 2/6th Battalion TF in September 1914)	Swansea - September 1914	South Wales Brigade TF	Welsh Division TF	To HQ BEF Lines of Communication 29 Oct 14 To 84th Bde/28th Div, 16 May 16.	1/6th Battalion TF was formed on reorganisation of 6th Battalion TF. To HQ BEF Lines of Communication duties 29th October 1914. Under command of 84th Bde/28th Div and then to Pioneer Battalion 1st Division 16th May 1916. Remained in France and Flanders for duration of war.
4/5th Battalion TF	Palestine - 30th July 1918	159th Brigade	53rd (Welsh) Division		On 30th July 1918 the 1/4th Battalion and 1/5th Battalion merged for the last time to form 4/5th Battalion Welsh Regiment TF. Remained in Palestine until end of war.
8th (Service) Battalion	Cardiff - August 1914 (Part of K1)	40th Brigade	13th (Western) Division	To Pioneer Battalion 13th (Western) Div Jan 1915	To Gallipoli 5th August 1915, then to Egypt with Division in December 1915. To Mesopotamia with Division in February 1916 where it remained for duration of war.
9th (Service) Battalion	Cardiff - 9th September 1914 (Part of K2)	58th Brigade	19th (Western) Division		To France and Flanders 19th July 1915 where it remained until end of war.
10th (Service) Battalion (1st Rhondda)	Rhondda - September 1914 (initially part of K3 but locally raised)	76th Brigade	25th Division	To 129th Bde/43rd Div, Sep 14 at Rhyl. Renamed 114th Bde/38th (Welsh) Div on 29th April 1915.	To France and Flanders 3rd December 1915. Where it remained until disbanded on 7th February 1918.
11th (Service) Battalion	Cardiff - September 1914 (Part of K3)	67th Brigade	22nd Division		To France and Flanders 6th September 1915 then to Salonika 30th October 1915.
13th (Service) Battalion (2nd Rhondda)	Cardiff - 23rd October 1914	129th Brigade	43rd Division	Renamed 114th Bde/38th (Welsh) Div on 29th April 1915.	To France and Flanders 3rd December 1915 where it remained for duration of war.
14th (Service) Battalion (Swansea)	Swansea - October 1914 (Locally raised)	129th Brigade	43rd Division	Renamed 114th Bde/38th (Welsh) Div on 29th April 1915.	To France and Flanders 3rd December 1915 where it remained for duration of war.
15th (Service) Battalion (Carmarthenshire)	Carmarthen - October 1914 (Locally raised)	129th Brigade	43rd Division	Renamed 114th Bde/38th (Welsh) Div on 29th April 1915.	To France and Flanders 4th December 1915 where it remained for duration of war.
16th (Service) Battalion (Cardiff City)	Cardiff - November 1914	130th Brigade	43rd Division	Renamed 115th Bde/38th (Welsh) Div on 29th April 1915.	To France and Flanders 5th December 1915. Where it remained until disbanded 9th February 1918.
17th (Service) Battalion (1st Glamorgan)	Cardiff - December 1914	Divisional Troops	43rd Division	To 119th Bde/40th Div 28th April 1915.	To France and Flanders 3rd June 1916. Where it remained until disbanded 9th February 1918.
18th (Service) Battalion (2nd Glamorgan)	Cardiff - January 1915 (Locally raised Bantam Battalion)	Divisional Troops	43rd Division	To 119th Bde/40th Div 28th, April 1915. To 47th Bde/16th (Irish) Div, 18th June 1918.	To France and Flanders in June 1916. Reduced to cadre strength 5th May 1918 after suffering heavy casualties and returned to UK for refitting. Absorbed 25th Battalion on 20th June 1918 and returned to BEF 29th July 1918.
19th (Service) Battalion (Glamorgan Pioneers)	Colwyn Bay - February 1915	Divisional Troops	43rd Division	Renamed 38th (Welsh) Div.	To France and Flanders in December 1915 where it remained for duration of war.
23rd (Service) Battalion (Welsh Pioneers)	Porthcawl - September 1915	Divisional Troops	69th Division	To 28th Div, 24th August 1916.	To Salonika with 28th Division on 24th August 1916 where it remained for duration of war.
24th (Pembroke and Glamorgan) Yeomanry Battalion TF	Egypt - 2nd February 1917	231st Brigade	74th (Yeomanry) Division	EEF to 1st May 1918 then to BEF on 7th May 1918.	With Division in Palestine to May 1918 then to BEF where it remained to end of war.
51st Battalion	Halesworth, Suffolk - 27th October 1917	203rd Brigade	68th Division	To 2nd Bde, 1st Div, 17th March 1919	Formed from 226th Graduated Battalion. To Rhineland in Army of Occupation 17th March 1919.
52nd Battalion	Herringfleet, Suffolk - 27th October 1917	205th Brigade	68th Division	To 2nd Bde, 1st Div, 3rd March 1919	Formed from 234th Graduated Battalion. To Rhineland in Army of Occupation 3rd March 1919.
53rd Battalion	Kinmel Park, Rhyl - 27th October 1917	14th (Reserve) Brigade	Training Reserve	To 2nd Bde, 1st Div, 23rd March 1919	Formed from 64th (Young Soldier) Battalion. To Shoreham by Sea before departing for Rhineland in Army of Occupation 23rd March 1919.
Order of Battle in the Great War - UK Based Battalions
3rd (Reserve) Battalion	Cardiff - Special Regular Reserve		Home Defence, Regular and New Army training, depot and supply of reinforcements		Home Defence duties at Barry, Kinmel Park and Redcar. Returned to Cardiff in 1919 and remained a reserve battalion
4th (Reserve) Battalion TF	Hearston Camp, Pembroke - September 1916		Home Defence, TF Training, depot and supply of reinforcements		Formed from 3/4th Battalion TF on 8th April 1916. Absorbed 5th (Reserve) Battalion and 6th (Reserve) Battalion on 1st September 1916.
1/7th (Cyclist) Battalion TF	Cardiff - August 1914		TF Depot and Training and Coastal Defence Duties in 1914		Home Defence duties at Berwick-on-Tweed, Ayton, Eyemouth, Saltburn, Seaton Carew and Middlesbrough
2/4th Battalion TF	Carmarthen - October 1914		TF Depot for 1/4th Battalion, training and supply of reinforcements, and Coastal Defence Duties in 1914/1915.		Moved to Bedford in November 1915 and absorbed by 2/4th Battalion The King's (Shropshire Light Infantry)
2/5th Battalion TF	Pontypridd - October 1914		TF Depot for 1/5th Battalion, training and supply of reinforcements, and Coastal Defence Duties in 1914/1915.		Moved to Bedford in November 1915 and absorbed by 2/4th Battalion Cheshire Regiment.
2/6th (Glamorgan) Battalion TF	Swansea - October 1914		TF Depot for 1/6th Battalion, training and supply of reinforcements, and Coastal Defence Duties in 1914/1915.		Moved to Bedford in November 1915 and absorbed by 2/5th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers.
2/7th (Cyclist) Battalion	Cardiff - December 1914		TF Depot for 1/7th Battalion, training and supply of reinforcements, and Home Defence Duties.		Home Defence duties at Holt, Fakenham and Melton Constable.
3/4th Battalion TF	Carmarthen - March 1915	South Wales Bde TF	Home Defence, training, depot and supply of reinforcements		To Milford Haven in March 1915. Became 4th (Reserve) Battalion TF on 8th April 1916. Absorbed 5th (Reserve) and 6th (Reserve) Battalions TF at Milford Haven, on 1st September 1916, where it remained until the end of the war.
3/5th Battalion TF	Pontypridd - March 1915	Reserve Bde	Home Defence, training, depot and supply of reinforcements		To Milford Haven in March 1915. Became 5th (Reserve) Battalion TF on 8th April 1916. Absorbed by 4th (Reserve) Battalion TF at Milford Haven on 1st September 1916.
3/6th Battalion TF	Swansea - March 1915	Reserve Bde	Home Defence, training, depot and supply of reinforcements		To Milford Haven in March 1915. Became 6th (Reserve) Battalion TF on 8th April 1916. Absorbed by 4th (Reserve) Battalion TF at Milford Haven, on 1st September 1916.
3/7th (Cyclist) Battalion	Exeter - late 1915	Reserve Bde	Cyclist Depot and Training Battalion and supply of reinforcements		To Milford Haven in April 1915.Disbanded March 1916.
12th (Service) Battalion	Cardiff - October 1914 (Part of K4)	104th Bde/35th Division	Rerolled as a Second Reserve Battalion on 10th April 1916		Became 58th Training Reserve Battalion (no regimental affiliation) in 13th (Reserve) Brigade
15th Battalion TF	Herne Bay - July 1916	10th Provisional Brigade later 227th (Mixed) Brigade	Coastal and Home Defence duties		Originally the 86th Provisional Battalion made up of Home Service men of 4th, 5th and 6th Battalions Devonshire Regiment TF. 227th Mixed Brigade was part of the UK Southern Army (Home Defence).
Organisation of the Infantry of the British Army and The Welsh Regiment 1914 - 1918
Pre-War Regular, Reserve and Territorial Force Infantry Battalions. Immediately prior to the outbreak of the Great War, the Regular Infantry of the British Army consisted of four Guards Regiments and sixty-nine Infantry Regiments. Infantry Regiments normally consisted of two active Battalions, with one Battalion serving overseas and one in the UK. Each Regiment would normally have one Reserve Battalion, based at the Regimental Depot, which trained new soldiers and supplied reinforcing drafts to the two active Battalions. In the case of the Welsh Regiment, as with most Infantry Regiments, the active Battalions were numbered the 1st and 2nd, and the Reserve Battalion was numbered the 3rd (Reserve). Many of the Infantry Regiments, including the Welsh Regiment, also had Territorial Force (TF) Battalions. These were made up of part-time officers and soldiers who had signed up for Imperial or Home Service, and each of these Battalion trained its own personnel so there was therefore no requirement for the TF to be established with Reserve Battalions. The TF Battalions were usually numbered after the Regular and Reserve Battalions of the Regiment and often had a second title linking them with their home city or town. In the Welsh Regiment the four TF battalions were titled 4th Battalion TF, 5th Battalion TF, 6th (Glamorgan) Battalion TF and 7th (Cyclist) Battalion TF. Each of the active Battalions, overseas and UK based, were grouped with a Brigade and/or Division and immediately prior to the outbreak of war, Battalions of the Welsh Regiment were deployed as follows: 1st Battalion (Regular). Based at Chakrata, GHQ India. 2nd Battalion (Regular). Based at Bordon, 3rd Brigade, 1st Division. 3rd (Reserve) Battalion. Based at Maindy Barracks, Cardiff. 4th Battalion TF. Based at Carmarthen. South Wales Brigade TF. 5th Battalion TF. Based at Pontypridd. South Wales Brigade TF. 6th (Glamorgan) Battalion TF. Based at Swansea. South Wales Brigade TF. 7th (Cyclist) Battalion TF. Based at Cardiff. Unallocated to a Higher Formation. The Re-Organisation at the Outbreak of War. The Regular and Reserve Battalions saw little change at the outbreak of war, only their reinforcement to War Establishment by Regular and Special Reservists and the deployment to mobilisation locations. In the TF Battalions, those personnel who had signed up for Imperial Service were formed into the First Line of the Battalions, designated the1/4th Battalion TF, 1/5th Battalion TF and 1/6th Battalion TF for service overseas. The 1/7th (Cyclist) Battalion was mobilised for UK Home Defence duties. Those who had signed for Home Service (and could not or would not sign up for Imperial Service) were formed up into the Second Line of each Battalion designated the 2/4th Battalion TF, 2/5th Battalion TF, 2/6th Battalion TF and 2/7th (Cyclist) Battalion. These Battalions continued to recruit, train and supply reinforcements for their First Line units. 2/4th Battalion TF. Formed at Carmarthen in October 1914. Moved to Bedford and absorbed by 2/4th The King's (Shropshire Light \|Infantry) TF in November 1915. 2/5th Battalion FT. Formed at Pontypridd in November 1914. Moved to Bedford and absorbed by 2/6th Battalion Cheshire regiment TF in November 1915. 2/6th (Glamorgan) Battalion TF. Formed at Swansea in December 1914. Moved to Bedford and absorbed by 2/5th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers TF in November 1915. 2/7th (Cyclist) Battalion TF. Formed at Cardiff in November 1914. Moved to Norfolk for Coastal Defence duties where it remained for remainder of the war. Service Battalions. On the outbreak of war, The Secretary of State for War, Lord Kitchener, saw that the UK must be prepared for a war lasting three to four years, requiring an Army of at least 70 Divisions. On 7th August 1914, he started a campaign to recruit an initial 100,000 men, but the response was overwhelming and 500,000 were signed up. He decided not to use the framework of the TF to expand the Army, but to create a "New Army", separate from the current Regulars and Territorials. More than 500 New Army Battalions were raised forming the basis of three New Armies, known as K1 (9th - 14th Division), K2 15th - 20th Division) and K3 (21st- 26th Division). The New Army Battalions were numbered consecutively after the existing Regular and Territorial Battalions and they were distinguished by the word "Service", in brackets, after their number. In the Welsh Regiment, the Service Battalions raised were: 8th (Service) Battalion. Raised at Cardiff, in August 1914. K1. Allocated to 40th Brigade, 13th (Western) Division. 9th (Service) Battalion. Raised at Cardiff, in September 1914. K2. Allocated to 58th Brigade, 13th (Western) Division. 10th (Service) Battalion (1st Rhondda). Raised at Rhondda in September 1914. Initially part of K3. Allocated to 76th Brigade, 25th Division. Reverted to a Locally Raised unit for 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, Welsh Army Corps. 11th (Service) Battalion. Raised at Cardiff in September 1914. K3. Allocated to 67th Brigade, 22nd Division. Became a Second Reserve Battalion, on the break-up of 4th Army in late 1914/early 1915, to train and supply reinforcements to Welsh Regiment Service Battalions of K1, K2 and K3. Locally Raised Service Battalions. Apart from the formal Service Battalions being raised as described above, local Citizen's Recruiting Committees were raising their own Battalions independent of the War Office. The expense of raising, clothing, feeding, housing and training of these Battalions were met by the Recruiting Committees until they were formally taken over by the War Office in 1915 and added to the Army Establishment. At this time all previous expenses were refunded to Committees and further costs borne by the War Office. These Battalions were to become known as Locally Raised Battalions and provided the majority of the infantry for the 4th New Army (K4). The Battalions were numbered consecutively after the Service Battalions in a Regiment and had an additional title showing the connection with the city, area or organisation which raised them. The Welsh Regiment raised the following Battalions, which were raised under the authority of the Welsh National Executive Committee, initially under local Recruiting Committees, and taken over by the War Office in the spring 1915: 10th (Service) Battalion (1st Rhondda). Raised at Rhondda in September 1914. Initially part of K3. Allocated to 76th Brigade, 25th Division. Reverted to a Locally Raised unit for 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, Welsh Army Corps (later 129th Brigade, 43rd (Welsh) Division and finally 114th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. 12th (Service) Battalion. Raised at Cardiff, in October 1914. K4. Allocated to 104th Brigade, 35th Division. Became a Second Reserve Battalion, on the break-up of 4th Army in late 1914/early 1915, to train and supply reinforcements to Welsh Regiment Service Battalions of K1, K2 and K3. 13th (Service) Battalion (2nd Rhondda). Raised at Cardiff in October 1914. Allocated to 129th Brigade, 43rd (Welsh) Division (becoming 114th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division). 14th (Service) Battalion (Swansea). Raised at Swansea in September 1914. Allocated to 129th Brigade, 43rd (Welsh) Division (becoming 114th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division). 15th (Service) Battalion (Carmarthenshire). Raised at Carmarthen in October 1914. Allocated to 129th Brigade, 43rd (Welsh) Division (becoming 114th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division). 16th (Service) Battalion (Cardiff City). Raised at Cardiff in November 1914. Allocated to 130th Brigade, 43rd (Welsh) Division (becoming 115th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division). 17th (Service) Battalion (1st Glamorgan). Raised at Swansea in December 1914 as a Bantam Battalion. Allocated to 119th Brigade, 40th Division. 18th (Service) Battalion (2nd Glamorgan). Raised at Swansea in January 1915 as a Bantam battalion. Allocated to 119th Brigade, 40th Division. 19th (Service) Battalion (Glamorgan Pioneers). Formed at Colwyn Bay in February 1915. Allocated as Pioneer Battalion to 43rd (Welsh) Division (becoming 38th (Welsh) Division). 23rd (Service) Battalion (Welsh Pioneers). Formed at Porthcawl in September 1915 as a Pioneer Battalion. Allocated to 69th Division. Further Re-Organisations. Territorial Force (TF). By June 1915 most of the First Line Battalions of the TF had been deployed to active service locations overseas and the Second Line Battalions were preparing for future overseas service and so a Third Line Battalion was formed to train and supply reinforcements to the parent First Line and later to the Second Line Battalions. Home Service personnel and those not fit for overseas service were transferred from the Second and Third Line Battalions to the non-Regimentally affiliated Provisional Battalions TF. In the Welsh Regiment, the Third Line Battalions TF raised were: 3/4th Battalion (TF). Formed at Carmarthen in March 1915 and moved to Milford Haven, part of the Severn Estuary Defences, to guard the port and local installations and to recruit, train and supply reinforcements for 1/4th and 2/4th Battalions TF. Became 4th (Reserve) Battalion TF on 8th April 1916. 3/5th Battalion (TF). Formed at Pontypridd in April 1915 and moved to Milford Haven, part of the Severn Estuary Defences, to guard the port and local installations and to recruit, train and provide reinforcements for 1/5th and 2/5th Battalions TF. Became 5th (Reserve) Battalion TF on 8th April 1916. Absorbed by 4th (Reserve) Battalion TF on 1st September 1916 at Milford Haven. 3/6th Battalion (TF). Formed at Swansea in April 1915 and moved to Milford Haven, part of the Severn Estuary Defences, to guard the port and local installations and to recruit, train and provide reinforcements for 1/6th and 2/6th Battalions TF. Became 6th (Reserve) Battalion TF on 8th April 1916. Absorbed by 4th (Reserve) Battalion TF on 1st September 1916 at Milford Haven, part of the Severn Estuary Defences, to guard the port and local installations and to recruit, train and provide reinforcements for 1/6th and 2/6th Battalions TF 3/7th (Cyclist) Battalion TF. Formed at Cardiff in April 1915 as moved to Milford Haven, part of the Severn Estuary Defences, to guard the port and local installations and to recruit, train and provide reinforcements for 1/7th and 2/7th Battalions TF. Disbanded in March 1916. Service Battalions. By spring 1915 it had become clear that voluntary recruitment was not going to provide the numbers of men required. The Government passed the National Registration Act on 15th July 1915 as a step towards stimulating recruitment and to discover how many men between the ages of 15 and 65 were engaged in each trade. The results of this census became available by mid-September 1915 and on 11th October 1915, Lord Derby was appointed Director-General of Recruiting. He brought forward a scheme five days later, always called the Derby Scheme, for raising the numbers. It was half-way to conscription. Disappointed at the results of the Derby Scheme, the Government introduced the Military Service Act on 27 January 1916. All voluntary enlistment was stopped as all British males were now deemed to have enlisted - that is, they were conscripted - if they were aged between 18 and 41 and resided in Great Britain (excluding Ireland) and were unmarried or a widower on 2 November 1915. Conscripted men were no longer given a choice of which service, regiment or unit they joined, although if a man preferred the navy it got priority to take him. This act was extended to married men on 25 May 1916. The Training Organisation, based on the Regimental Reserve Battalions could not cope with the sheer number of conscripted men now available and a new system was put in place on 1st September 1916 to deal with these numbers. All New-Army Regimental Reserve Battalions would lose their Regimental identity and become a Battalion of the Training Reserve. The role of these Battalions was to train new recruits for active service and despatch drafts to fighting Battalions overseas: 20th (Reserve) Battalion (3rd Rhondda). Formed at St Asaph in July 1915 as a Second Reserve Battalion, to recruit, train and supply reinforcements to 10th and 13th Battalions Welsh Regiment. Became 61st Training Reserve Battalion on 1st September 1916 in 13th Reserve Brigade. 21st (Reserve) Battalion. Formed at Colwyn Bay in July 1915 as a Second Reserve Battalion, to recruit, train and supply reinforcements to 14th, 15th, 16th and 19th Battalions Welsh Regiment. Became 60th Training Reserve Battalion on 1st September 1916 in 13th Reserve Brigade. 22nd (Reserve) Battalion. Formed at Prees Heath in September 1915 as a Second Reserve Battalion, to recruit, train and supply reinforcements to 17th and 18th Battalions Welsh Regiment. Became 66th Training Reserve Battalion on 1st September 1916 in 14th Reserve Brigade. More Reorganisations. Training Reserve Battalions. In 1917 the Training Reserve (TR) was re-organised to provide better and more specialised training for recruits and a total of 14 TR Battalions were designated "Young Soldier" and "Graduated" Battalions. This system saw these new Young Soldier Battalions take in and trains 18 year olds recruits and train them step by step until the recruits could be posted , in Company strength, to Graduated Battalions for further training until ready to be sent to active service units. In October 1917, these Battalions were affiliated to Regiments of the Line and in the Welsh Regiment the new units formed were: 51st (Graduated) Battalion. Formed on 27th October 1917 from 226th Graduated Battalion (formerly 63rd Training Reserve Battalion) at Halesworth, Suffolk, part of 203rd Brigade, 68th Division. Would later be posted to the Rhineland part of the British Army of Occupation. 52nd (Graduated) Battalion. Formed on 27th October 1917 from 234th Graduated Battalion (formerly 65th Training Reserve Battalion) at Herringfleet, Suffolk, part of 205th Bde, 68th Division. Would later be posted to the Rhineland part of the British Army of Occupation. 53rd (Young Soldier) Battalion. Formed on 27th October 1917 at Kinmel Park from 64th Young Soldier Battalion, part of 14th (Reserve) Bde. Would later be posted to the Rhineland part of the British Army of Occupation. Territorial Force (TF) 24th (Pembroke and Glamorgan Yeomanry) Battalion (TF). Assembled at El Arish, Egypt on 4th March 1917 from personnel of the dismounted Pembroke Yeomanry and Glamorgan Yeomanry in 231st Brigade, 74th (Yeomanry) Division. Service Battalions 25th (Service) Battalion. Formed at North Walsham, Norfolk on 1st June 1918 and absorbed by the reconstituted 18th (Service) Battalion Welsh Regiment on 20th June 1918.