Derby Scheme

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The Derby Scheme was a voluntary recruitment policy in Britain created in 1915 by Edward Stanley, 17th Earl of Derby. The concept behind The Derby Scheme was that men who voluntarily registered their name would only be called upon for service when necessary. Married men had an added incentive in that they were advised they would only be called up once the supply of single men was exhausted.

The scheme proved unsuccessful and was abandoned in December the same year for the Military Service Act, which set down terms for mandatory military service.