Genealogy Chat

Hi Can anyone tell me when national service became compulsory? and how long did they have to serve? When did it end? Any info appreciated George

This should help you- http://www(.)iwm(.)org(.)uk/collections/books/bookfaq24(.)htm

Hi George My hubby thinks it was either during or before ww2 Haven't forgotten look ups been away. Ann,Darlington

Here We go Georgina National Service started about 1951 ,all 18 yr olds had to do 2years,in Army ,Navy ,RAF..I was lucky ,all students were 'deferred' till studies finished..It finished in 1961..Can't believe people think it was in WW2...Pity we don't have it now to teach a bit of discipline and respect to teenagers..We were fighting for Our lives in Korea and Malaya...in 1950-60...AGED 18 Think about it !!!! Bry

Bryan In 1939 reservists were called back into service and all 18 - 30 year old single men had to register and were called up. This was extended to include married men and men up to the age of 40 I believe. So there were many 18 year olds fighting for their lives - and ours - during the 5 years of the war. I was in the RAF in 1948 and served with National Servicemen so I would argue that you are wrong about it starting in 1951.

Bryan & Kathleen Look at the web page which Angela mentions, above. You are both right and wrong but that should settle the discussion. Vera Manchester LAN

Maybe I should have cut and paste in the first place :-) "What was National Service? The first National Service Acts were passed during the Second World War. However, following the war, conscription was extended as peacetime National Service. This was due in part to an unstable international situation, as well as to Britain’s responsibilities in the commonwealth and empire. The 1948 National Service Act, effective from 1 January 1949, fixed the period of National Service to eighteen months with 4 years in the reserves. In 1950, the Korean War led to a further amendment increasing the period of service to two years, with three and a half years in the reserves. Men in Northern Ireland were excluded from the National Service Act. The ‘call-up’ finally came to a halt on 31 December 1960 and the very last National servicemen left the Army in 1963."

Thank you Angela - you beat me to it. Think this gives the full answer.

Kathleen--I agree it gives full picture but I think "conscription" was the word used 1939-45..and we called it "National Service" from 1948(1951 was my guess!!)to 1960..remember stories of 'painting the coal white' etc....Anyway thanks Angela too..Bry