Whenever Britain has been under threat, Volunteers have always responded to the call of the Government and local leaders.
In Anglo-Saxon times men accepted the obligation to serve, if required, in the Fyrd or local militia.
The Vikings divided the North into Wapentakes, literally the "taking of weapons", for the purpose of administration and the raising of armies. And so it has been throughout Britain's long History.
On the 22nd September 1801 in response to Napoleon's army of invasion at Boulogne the Government demanded that each area of the country make a return of all available men, weapons, horses etc.
Local Volunteer Associations were formed and in 1803 the following Skelton men were enlisted.
The page for 1801 gives more details - click here.