The monthly Army List is the official list of all army officers, regular, territorial or reserve, as at the end of the month immediately prior to the date of publication, and this makes the August 1914 Army List a most significant one. But it is not just a list of names, it shows the command structure and order of battle of the British Army and Indian Army, all the regular and territorial divisions and their locations, their commanders and staffs. Officers up to the rank of Lieut-Colonel are show in their regiments/corps in seniority; in infantry regiments the battalion is also shown. The locations of all regiments and battalions are given. Officers of colonel rank and above are on a consolidated list, grouped by ranks and according to seniority. In this August list all the artillery brigades, batteries and companies are shown with their officers and locations. Other lists include Royal Marines, RFC, Staff College graduates and students, officers on half pay, Colonial regiments, officers attached to the Egyptian Army, instructors and staff of Army schools, OTCs, senior Warrant Officers and many more. Indian Army officers are shown in a consolidated list by ranks as well as by regiments. This is the British, Indian and Colonial Army on the eve of war.

Coverage of publications outside the UK and in non-English languages expands steadily until, in 1991, it occupies enough of the Guide to require publication in parts.