Oxfordshire Militia

The Oxfordshire Militia was an auxiliary military force in the English county of Oxfordshire. From their formal organisation as Trained Bands in 1572, the Militia of Oxfordshire provided internal security and home defence during times of international tension and major wars, relieving regular troops from routine garrison duties and acting as a source of trained officers and men for the Regular Army. The Oxfordshire Militia was active in suppressing Monmouth's Rebellion in 1685 and served overseas at various times in Ireland and the Ionian Islands. It became a battalion of the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry and trained thousands of reservists and recruits during World War I. It maintained a shadowy existence until final disbandment in 1953.