The British Army 1914-18

Between 1869 and 1874, Edward Cardwell, Gladstone's Secretary for War, undertook major reforms to modernise the British Army. The Crimean War, and campaigns in India, had revealed serious administrative and command shortcomings. Cardwell's legislation was aimed at curing these faults and served as the foundation of a new-style army. His successors put into practice further improvements in tactics, training and command structure and by the outbreak of war in 1914, the British Army had developed into one of the best professional fighting forces in Europe. This book details the development, composition and uniforms of this 'new' army.