A set of three Additional Forces Acts of July 1803 created an Army of Reserve for the defence of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland against the imminent threat of sea-borne invasion by Napoleon's French Revolutionary Army. A total of 15,780 men were added to the country's armed forces by these compulsory measures, creating an "Army of Reserve".
The acts – one each for England (43 Geo. 3. c. 82), Scotland (c. 83) and Ireland (c. 85) – were passed by William Pitt the Younger despite strong political opposition.
Subsequent developments The whole of the three acts were repealed by section 1 of, and the schedule to, the Statute Law Revision Act 1872 (35 & 36 Vict. c. 63), which came into force on 6 August 1872.
See also List of British fencible regiments
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