Edinburgh UOTC has its origins in No. 4 Company of the 1st City of Edinburgh Rifle Volunteer Corps (from 1865 the 1st Queen's Edinburgh Rifle Volunteer Brigade), which was raised on 31 August 1859. Some 90 volunteers from the University of Edinburgh joined the company. In 1908, the Edinburgh University contingent of the Officers' Training Corps was formally raised in response to the recommendations of the committee formed by Lord Haldane (the Haldane Reforms). Haldane was Rector of the University of Edinburgh at the time. 'A' Company of 3rd Battalion, Queen's Edinburgh Rifles, Royal Scots, (the old No 4 Company) and Left Half of 1st Heavy Battery, 1st Edinburgh (City) Royal Garrison Artillery (also manned by members of the university) transferred to the new contingent. Some 2,250 students from the university were commissioned during the First World War.