Organised as "rifle volunteer corps", they were independent of the British Army and composed primarily of the middle class.
Many battalions of the regiment were formed as part of Secretary of State for War Lord Kitchener's appeal for an initial 100,000 men volunteers in 1914.
As World War II approached, the Territorial Army was reorganised in the mid-1930s, many of its infantry battalions were converted to other roles, especially anti-aircraft.
A number of Light Anti-Aircraft (LAA) troops were formed from the local battalions to defend specific points, such as factories.
[12] In the immediate post-war period, the army was significantly reduced: nearly all infantry regiments had their first and second battalions amalgamated and the Supplementary Reserve disbanded.
A policy of grouping regiments in administrative brigades, and amalgamating pairs of regular battalions was inaugurated.