
The concept of a
'battalion of pals' serving together originated with the 'Stockbrokers
Battalion' of the Royal Fusiliers raised in the City of London and was taken up enthusiastically as the 'Pals battalions'. These local and pals battalions formed Kitchener's Fifth New Army, or 'K5', authorised on 10 December 1914.
The four Public Schools Battalions of the Royal Fusiliers formed at Epsom Downs Racecourse on 11 September 1914:
- 18th (Service) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (1st Public Schools)
- 19th (Service) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (2nd Public Schools)
- 20th (Service) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (3rd Public Schools)
- 21st (Service) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (4th Public Schools)
Their training experience was similar to other Kitchener battalions. Like all Kitchener units, there was an initial shortage of experienced officers and NCOs to train the battalions. The 20th and 21st Battalions were camped at Ashtead and at Leatherhead in Surrey during the winter of October 1914–March 1915 while the others stayed at Epsom.
From 10 December the four battalions constituted 118th Brigade in 39th Division of K5, but when the K5 divisions were reorganised on 27 April 1915 the brigade was transferred to 33rd (formerly 40th) Division and was re-numbered 98th Brigade. By 26 June 1915 the brigade had concentrated at Clipstone Camp in Nottinghamshire and on 1 July the battalions were formally taken over by the War Office. All the infantry of the division were concentrated at Clipstone by 13 July and on 3 August they moved to Salisbury Plain for final battle training, with 98th Bde at Tidworth Camp.
The 28th (Reserve) and 29th (University and Public Schools) (Reserve) Battalions were formed in Epsom in August 1915 as reserve battalions, from depot companies of the four Public Schools Bns.
On 1 September 1916 they converted into the 104th and 105th Training Reserve Battalions in the 24th Reserve Brigade.
Western Front

98th Brigade landed in France to join the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in November 1915, but 18th and 20th Bns were immediately detached on 27 November to join 19th Bde, which had been transferred into 33rd Division to exchange experience. After only a short period learning the routines of trench warfare the 18th, 19th and 21st Battalions were all transferred to GHQ Troops on 27 February 1916 and disbanded on 24 April, when the majority of their personnel were commissioned as officers.
The remaining battalion, 20th (3rd Public Schools), continued serving in 19th Bde.
The majority of recruits enlisted in Manchester formed the 20th Battalion. The School Magazine lists some fifty five Old Hulmeians who enlisted in the various Public Schools Battalions.
