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Demobilisation - The First World War - December 1918

Whilst fighting can finish at the flourish of a pen and the agreeing of terms, the machinery of warfare remains in place for a long time afterwards. Following the signing of the armistice on November 11th, much needed to be done to ensure that the conflict was over and that some semblance of normality could resume.

Millions of men had been mobilised during the First World War. Now that the great offensives were over their was no need to have a massive standing army of millions. The men, their job done, needed to be returned to civilian life as quickly and effectively as possible. This takes time. Troops are required to perform tidying up operations, the burial of dead, removal of minefields and aiding the inhabitants of devastated areas need to be weighed against the civilian soldiers desire to return to his loved ones.

Demobilisation happened in stages. In theory at least those who had fought for the longest period of time would be the first to be demobilised. Upon their return home the government was faced with the problem of finding dutiful employment for these men, whose roles in the workplace had by now been taken by women.

Other post war considerations that required immediate action were the release of prisoners of war and their safe return to their homeland, reestablishing safe water supplies for areas affected by war, safeguarding of damaged areas, rationing of food supplies and the securing of borders until the peace conferences reached a conclusion as to final outcomes.