(c) To find the garrisons for all our fortresses and coaling stations, at home and abroad, according to a scale now laid down, and to maintain these garrisons at all times at the strength fixed for a peace or war footing.
(d) After providing for these requirements, to be able to mobilise rapidly for home defence two army corps of regular troops, and one partly composed of regulars and partly of militia; and to organise the auxiliary forces, not allotted to army corps or garrisons, for the defence of London and for the defensible positions in advance, and for the defence of mercantile ports.
(e) Subject to the foregoing considerations, and to their financial obligations, to aim at being able, in case of necessity, to send abroad two complete army corps, with cavalry division and line of communication. But it will be distinctly understood that the probability of the employment of an army corps in the field in any European war is sufficiently improbable to make it the primary duty of the military authorities to organise our forces efficiently for the defence of this country."—(Report of Royal Commission on the War in South Africa, p. 225.)[Back to Main Text]
Footnote 3: Now General the Right Honourable Sir Henry Brackenbury, G.C.B.[Back to Main Text]
Footnote 4: Mobilisation reports, Numbers I., II. and III.[Back to Main Text]
Footnote 5: The Right Honourable W. H. Smith.[Back to Main Text]
Footnote 6: Then Permanent Under-Secretary of State.[Back to Main Text]
Footnote 7: The following extract from the Statement of the Mobilisation division gives the details and dates:—
"21. While the embarkation of the field force was proceeding, news of the loss of the greater part of two battalions of infantry and a mountain battery at Nicholson's Nek reached England. Orders were accordingly given on 31st October for the despatch of one mountain battery and three battalions of infantry, to make good this loss. All this reinforcement went from England, except one battalion. The embarkation from England was finished on 16th November.
"22. On 3rd November it was decided to organise and send out a siege train. It embarked on 9th December.