What was the Militia?
The Militia was a voluntary county-based part-time force for home defence. It ceased to be
summoned after the Civil War but was revived in 1757, when the Militia Act established militia
regiments in all counties of England and Wales. Additional volunteer forces, the Yeomanry, the
Volunteers and the Local Militia were introduced later (for information on these see the British
Army: auxiliary forces 1769-1945 research guide). In 1908 the Militia was revived as the
Special Reserve.
The National Archives Guide Reference Military Records Information 18 last updated 20 December 2010