About the ULOTC,

A Brief History

The critical shortage of officers during the South African War (1899-1902) led to the establishment in 1908 of an Officer Training Corps as part of the Haldane Reforms. Initially, the Corps was in 2 Divisions: a junior division in schools and a senior division in universities. Eight universities, including London, formed contingents of the OTC in 1908. All had previously formed volunteer detachments in emergencies or militia companies. The University of London initially consisted of an HQ (Kensington), 3 infantry Sections (University, Kings and East London Colleges), 2 medical sections (St Bartholomews and Guys Hospitals) and an Engineer company (Kensington). The first Adjutant, a Coldstream Guards officer, designed the Contingent cap badge based upon the Garter Star. By 1909, ULOTC had a strength of 24 officers and 783 officer cadets.

During the 1914-18 war, the OTCs became an officer producing corps and some 30,000 officers passed through. With peace, the Corps reverted to the role of providing "a standard measure of elementary military training" for university students. The thirties saw an increase in OTC strength which reached a peak in 1938 at the time of the Munich crisis. After the outbreak of war, the OTC became concerned once again with the production of officers.

In 1948 the Corps was reorganised as part of the Territorial Army (a part-time volunteer force) and the first sub-units of the Women's Royal Army Corps were formed. For the next 10 years the main function of the Contingent was to give pre-service training to students liable for National Service.

At the end of the National Service in 1960, the UOTCs adopted their present role which is to provide a practical link between the Army and universities thereby fostering an interest in, and understanding of, the Army and its role as an instrument of defence policy. To assist in achieving this, the Contingent gives military training to students and advised, assists and encourages those who are potential candidates for commissions in the Regular Army or the TA.

The amount of special-to-arms training has evolved. There are now areas teaching roles and disciplines involved with the Infantry, Royal Engineers, Royal Artillery, Royal Signals, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Royal Logistics Corps and the Royal Armoured Corps. Women are now fully integrated into all ULOTC activities.

London OTC is the largest in the country and has fostered connections with many TA and Regular Units with whom we participate in exercises and visits. There is an annual exchange with the American ROTC.

ULOTC today operates like most TA units with regular weekend training and a two week summer camp. This, combined with various adventure training trips and an active social calendar, provides a multitude of opportunities for the cadets. The current strength is approximately 30 officers, 30 other ranks and 600 Officer Cadets. Each year some 40 ULOTC Cadets go on to be commissioned into the Regular Army and a further 10 into the Territorials.

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