1916 Timeline of the United Kingdom home front during the First World War

a government poster explaining how male workers can apply exemption conscription.

2 march 1916

military service act 1916 comes force, introducing compulsory conscription in great britain not ireland. men 18 41 years old liable called service in army unless married, widowed children, serving in royal navy, minister of religion, or working in 1 of number of reserved occupations. local military service tribunals grant exemption service, conditional or temporary.

2 april 1916

an explosion @ munitions factory in faversham kills 115 workers.

24-29 april 1916

easter uprising irish nationalists in dublin.

21 may 1916

daylight saving introduced in britain, save fuel lighting , encourage longer working hours.

5 june 1916

lord kitchener dies when cruiser, hms hampshire, carrying him russia, hits mine , sinks off coast off coast of scotland. lloyd george succeeds him secretary of state war.

10 august 1916

london première of battle of somme, giving audiences first realistic impression of modern battlefield. estimated 20 million britons had seen film during first 6 weeks of release.

5 december 1916

lloyd george resigns minister of war, after asquith fails agree lloyd george s plan new war council , prompting asquith s resignation prime minister next day.


david lloyd george became prime minister on 7 december 1916.

7 december 1916

david lloyd george forms new coalition government.

22 december 1916

the first ministry of food established under food controller who, under new ministries , secretaries act 1916, empowered regulate supply , consumption of food , take steps encouraging food production. ministry dissolved on 31 march 1921.




^ beckett (2006) p. 217
^ beckett (2006) p. 173