from 1916 to 1918 barbirolli was a freelance cellist in london. he recalled, "my first orchestral engagement was with the queen's hall orchestra – i was probably the youngest orchestral musician ever, joining them in 1916. we had an enormous repertory – six concerts a week, three hours or more rehearsal a day. in those days we were happy if we began and finished together". while playing in the queen's hall orchestra, barbirolli also played in the opera pit for the beecham and carl rosa opera companies, in recitals with the pianist ethel bartlett, with orchestras in theatres, cinemas, hotels and dance-halls, and, as he said, "everywhere except the street". during the last year of the first world war, barbirolli enlisted in the army and became a lance-corporal in the suffolk regiment. here he had his first opportunity to conduct, when an orchestra of volunteers was formed. he later described the experience: