At home, the Company’s complement of navigating and engineering officers was reduced by almost a third as commissioned officers of the RNR (Royal Naval Reserve) were mobilized immediately.
Many others, including shore and office staff, were granted temporary commissions in the forces, with nearly 200 joining the Army alone.
The Company encouraged such patriotic behaviour and promised to preserve the pay, position and rank of all who volunteered. For those who were required by age, or duty, to stay with their ships, the significance of their contribution was no less.
