The outbreak of war in August 1914 was greeted with enthusiasm in Britain. But to meet its commitment to its allies, the nation would have to expand its small professional army and make it ready for war as quickly as possible. Despite the small initital size, the British army was well trained and equipped, with an emphasis on marksmanship and rate of fire. 

 

Most pre-war officers came from families with military connections, the gentry or the peerage and a public school education was almost essential. In 1913, about 2% of regular officers had been promoted from the ranks. In September 1914, Lord Kitchener announced that he was looking for volunteers and regular NCOs to provide officers for the expanding army. Most of the volunteers came from the middle class, with the largest group from commercial and clerical occupations (27%), followed by teachers and students (18%) and professional men (15%).