Training Reserve, 87th Battalion
Training Reserve battalion
The vast numbers swelling the ranks of the British army in 1916, due to conscription, necessitated a reorganisation of the reserve battalions. Before September 1916, most infantry regiments, including the Durham Light Infantry, had a reserve battalion. New recruits tended to be sent to the reserve battalion of their local regiment for basic training. In 1916, the local system was abandoned and became centralised. From then on the reserve battalions were no longer attached to their traditional regiments but re-designated as part of the Training Reserve.
The 87th Battalion was part of the 20th Training Reserve Brigade. In May 1917 the battalion became the “D” Battalion Machine Gun Corps.
See also:
http://www.1914-1918.net/training_reserve.htm
http://www.1914-1918.net/dli.htm
Founded: 01-Sep-1916
Contributed by Durham County Record Office