The First World War saw the Regiment
expand from three regular battalions
and three territorial battalions to
as many as 16 battalions. The rapid
growth of the British army, and the
burgeoning casualty rates as the war
progressed, meant that men from other
areas, particularly London and Essex
joined the Norfolk Regiment and men
from Norfolk found themselves in regiments
from around the country.
Recruiting was not swift in Norfolk,
partly because war broke out during harvest
time. But in September 1914 large numbers
joined. There was another peak late
in 1915 prior to conscription. |
