Additional Forces Acts 1803
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 measure, 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. Additional Forces Acts 1803