The Smooth, Well-Oiled Machine

Strictly following Regimental Orders, at The Depot in Suffolk, the plan for the mobilisation of The 2nd Battalion began to be put into operation.
To all those on the Reserve List, they would soon receive their "personal invitation to participate in the Great European War" in the form of a telegram asking them to report to The Depot as soon as possible in the morning. 
By first light, the first of the Reservists were arriving. At the same time Lieutenant Bittleston and his cadre of senior NCOs, arrived from Ireland having travelled on the overnight boat from Dublin with the Colours of the 2nd Battalion. 
After tea, a haircut and a medical inspection, the Reservists were taken into The Keep and up the stairs to the first floor. Here in the "Reservists Clothing and Equipment Stores" they were issued with their khaki serge service dress, 1908 pattern web equipment and boots of brown reversed leather. Having filed along the counter, they went onwards to the Armoury to collect their No. 1 Mk. III charger-loading Lee Enfield rifles; a weapon unknown to some Reservists.
After a hot meal, they marched off to the station to entrain for the Midlands, and eventually, Liverpool, where, sailing overnight, they would be in Dublin just after 5.00am.
There was no fuss, no panic. The careful and diligent following of the Mobilization Orders ensured that within hours, the 2nd Battalion was at full "War Establishment" - a process that was being re-enacted all over Great Britain in over 30 Regimental Depots.

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