This is a timeline of the British home front during the First World War from 1914 to 1918. This conflict was the first modern example of total war in the United Kingdom; innovations included the mobilisation of the workforce, including many women, for munitions production, conscription and rationing. Civilians were subjected to naval bombardments, strategic bombing and food shortages caused by a submarine blockade.
1914
28 June 1914
Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, who was killed in Sarajevo along with his wife Duchess Sophie by Bosnian Serb Gavrilo Princip.
27 July 1914
Winston Churchill orders a "Test Mobilisation" for the Royal Navy's Home Fleet, which was at Portland Harbour following a Fleet Review by King George V
28 July 1914
Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia. Russia mobilizes.
29 July 1914
The Home Fleet is ordered to its wartime anchorage at Scapa Flow in the Orkney Islands.
1 August 1914
Germany declares war on Russia.
2 August 1914
British cabinet decides on war. Germany invades Luxembourg.
3 August 1914
Germany declares war on France. Belgium denies permission for German forces to pass through to the French border.
Foreign Secretary Sir Edward Grey makes a speech to the House of Commons, asking Parliament to approve the use of armed force should the German Navy attack the coasts of France, or if Germany violates Belgian neutrality.
4 August 1914
Germany invades Belgium to outflank the French army.
British Government protests the violation of Belgian neutrality, guaranteed by the Treaty of London; German Chancellor replies that the treaty is just a chiffon de papier (a scrap of paper).
The United Kingdom declares war on Germany.
British mobilisation: The Army and Navy Reserves are "called out" and the Territorial Force is "embodied" by Royal Proclamation.
5 August 1914
The Aliens Registration Act 1914 was introduced, compelling German immigrants in the United Kingdom to register with the police and making provision for the deportation or internment of those deemed to be a particular risk.
"Your King and Country need you: a call to arms" is published by Lord Kitchener, the new Secretary of State for War, calling for 100,000 men to enlist in the army. This figure is achieved within two weeks allowing six new divisions to be formed from these volunteers, to be called Kitchener's Army. From December 1914, battalions can be recruited from a specific locality, known as "Pals battalions". By March 1915, a total of 41 new divisions have been raised.
6 August 1914
Currency and Bank Notes Act 1914 authorises the issue of paper £1 and 10 shilling notes.
7 August 1914
The British Expeditionary Force arrives in France.
8 August 1914
The Defence of the Realm Act 1914 (widely known as "DORA") is passed, imposing, censorship and security controls on the civil population.
12 August 1914
The United Kingdom declares war on Austria-Hungary.
September 1914
German businesses in Britain are shutting down, for example the Münchener Löwenbräu London Depot.
November 1914
First "dilution" agreement between the Engineering Employers Federation and trades unions, allowing unskilled workers (including women) to take on some of the roles usually reserved for skilled workers.
19 November 1914
The Central Association of Volunteer Training Corps is recognised by the War Office, legitimising the many town guards and local defence companies that have been formed illegally around the country.
3 December 1914
The No Conscription Fellowship is formed.
16 December 1914
A squadron of German battlecruisers and other warships conduct a raid on Scarborough, Hartlepool and Whitby, resulting in 137 deaths and 592 casualties, most of whom are civilians.
1915
9 January 1915
Kaiser Wilhelm II authorises airship raids on the United Kingdom, excluding London.
19 January 1915
The first air raid over Britain. Two German Navy Zeppelin airships drop bombs and incendiaries over Great Yarmouth and King's Lynn in Norfolk; four civilians are killed and sixteen injured.
12 February 1915
The Kaiser authorises airship raids on the London Docks.
18 February 1915
The Kaiser authorises an unrestricted submarine blockade of the United Kingdom.
16 March 1915
Defence of the Realm (Amendment) (No 2) Act allows the government to force engineering firms to accept contracts for war related work.