Defence of the Realm Act 1803

Defence of the Realm Act 1803
Act of Parliament
Long titleAn Act to enable his Majesty more effectually to provide for the Defence and Security of the Realm during the present War; and for indemnifying Persons who may suffer in their Property by such Measures as may be necessary for that Purpose.
Citation43 Geo. 3. c. 55
Introduced byCharles Philip Yorke (Commons)
Territorial extent United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
Dates
Royal assent11 June 1803
Commencement11 June 1803
Repealed6 August 1872
Other legislation
Amended by
Repealed byStatute Law Revision Act 1872
Status: Repealed
Text of statute as originally enacted

The Defence of the Realm Act 1803 (43 Geo. 3 c. 55) was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The Act was bought before the House of Commons on 18 May 1803 by Charles Philip Yorke, then Secretary at War in the Addington ministry.[1] The Act required all counties to a full report on all able-bodied men aged between fifteen and sixty, classifying those in the volunteer regiments, those willing to serve, to drive waggons or act as guides, as well as the details of waggons, boats, horses, cattle, food and forage.[2]

  1. ^ The Parliamentary Register or History of the Proceedings and Debates of the Houses of Lords and Commons, vol. 3, p. 215.
  2. ^ Clive Emsley, British Society and the French Wars, 1793-1815 (Macmillan, 1979), p. 101.