During the Boer War the Militia, though it was kept in the background, accomplished what no other branch of the army could do. Without external aid it provided a large number of organized and completed battalions for home, foreign, and active service, thus maintaining its old traditions, and demonstrating its high value among the military forces of the Crown. The service upon the lines of communication was most arduous. The Militia is a force of very old standing, the purpose of which is to provide a body of trained men, available in case of need or of imminent national danger, to supplement, support, or relieve the regular army at home and on the Mediterranean stations. There are in all 124 Infantry battalions attached to the Line regiments, 32 corps of Garrison Artillery, 3 Field Batteries, 2 fortress corps of Engineers, 10 divisions of Submarine Miners, and 2 companies of the Medical Staff Corps. The Malta regiment, some colonial corps, and 8 Channel Island regiments are in addition. It has often acted as a feeder to the Regular Army, and, under the territorial system, this has come to be regarded as its chief function. A very large number of militia recruits are every year transferred to the line - as many, indeed, as one-third of the whole number enlisted - and the force is a channel through which many commissions are annually gained in the regular Army. This system is to be continued. Great dissatisfaction was felt owing to the retention of Militia battalions for so long a period in South Africa, whereby a real hardship was inflicted upon officers and men, and the feeling is general in the force that it is neglected.

The Militia recruit is enlisted for six years, and may re-engage if under 45 years of age for a further period of four years. Recruits are liable, at any time after enlistment, to be assembled for preliminary drill for such period, not exceeding six months, as may be directed, from time to time by the Secretary of State for War. Brigades and regiments are called out annually for 27 days' training, which may be extended to 56 days if deemed expedient.

The Lord-Lieutenant of a county recommends to the consideration of the Secretary of State for War, for submission to His Majesty, the names of candidates for first appointment to Commissions, commanding officers being directed to assist him in the selection if called upon. For subaltern officers in the Militia, candidates must be seventeen years of age or upwards. The appointment of officers as captains and field officers is recommended by the Militia commanding officer direct.

The New Militia Reserve, to be formed as a "Reserve Division of the Militia," was authorized by a Royal Warrant (Feb. 4th, 1903), under the Militia and Yeomanry act, 1892, and has an establishment of 50,000. It is intended to raise the force in round numbers from 100,000 to 150,000, and, in order to stimulate recruiting, men joining from the garrison Regiment receive $30 annually, and other men $22.50, with quarters and rations during training. The arrangements for musketry training are to be increased. Men of the Reserve Division are liable to serve with the Militia whenever that force is embodied by proclamation.

The services of the Imperial Yeomanry in South Africa, in the organizations of which the old Yeomanry Cavalry played a very large part (although in the actual composition of the force the regular yeomen formed only about one-fifth of the total strength), caused the military authorities to reorganize the force. An Army Order of April 17th, 1901, provided that it should, in future, be entitled the "Imperial Yeomanry," and that the brigade organization should be abolished, and the force be organized in regiments of four squadrons, with a regimental staff and a machine-gun section. The order included rules as to efficiency, drills, and pay. During the period of training, and under conditions laid down, the daily pay, including ration allowance, varies from $1.35 in the case of a private to $2.38 in the case of a regimental sergeant-major, with 1s. additional when a non-commissioned officer acts as quartermaster. It was also announced that after Oct. 31st, 1901, all corps of Volunteer light horse and Volunteer companies of mounted infantry would be disbanded or merged into squadrons of the Imperial Yeomanry. The number of regiments so far constituted is 52. A Committee on the organization of arms and equipment of the Yeomanry Force reported upon the subject in January, 1901, and it was decided, under the new Army scheme, to provide the Yeomanry with rifles, to give them extra pay as indicated above, with horse allowance of $25 and to raise the force to 35,000 as Imperial Yeomanry intended to furnish mounted troops for home defense, while Colonial Yeomanry are to be affiliated for Imperial services. There is a school for instruction for officers of Imperial Yeomanry, with a lieutenant-colonel as commandant and a staff of 66.