Why did people join the British Army during the Colonial Period?
There was no real “conscription” as such during the building of Britain’s Empire and defence of it. Much of the earlier part of the army were actually employed by mercantile companies to protect their investments from other colonial powers. A prime example would be the East India Company who made the first forays into India with this type of military backing. A large percentage of officers in the British army purchased their commissions as it was a respectable profession for a wealthy individual to pursue. Some fathers would buy their sons an officer rank when they reached maturity. It also gave them an opportunity to increase their wealth, especially if they were involved in the capture of an enemy town or fort and the subsequent sacking of it. From this they might be able to purchase an area of land in England that came with a seat in parliament and with it power, which again would add to their wealth. The NCO’s were usually men with “reputations”. Not full “officer material” but had
