Recruits under the Derby Scheme. The Derby Scheme was introduced during World War I in Britain in the autumn of 1915 by Herbert Kitcheners new Director General of Recruiting, Edward Stanley, 17th Earl of Derby (1865¡V1948) after which it was named. The British military required more recruits; Derbys scheme was a survey to determine how many could be obtained, via the use of appointed canvassers visiting eligible men at home to persuade them to volunteer for war service.