National Service
National Service
In 1945, at the end of the Second World War, Britain was a highly militarised nation. It wasn't unusual to see military vehicles, or people in uniform, in towns and cities across the country. Shortly after the end of the war, with the start of the Cold War and a growing crisis in Malaya, a National Service Act (1948) was introduced that meant every fit and able man between the age of 17-21 (except for those in 'reserved occupations' such as coal mining, farming) had to serve in the armed forces for 18 months - increased to two years during the Korean War - and also be available for four years afterwards (this was later reduced to six months).[1]
While some young men did their National Service at 17, others waited until they had finished an apprenticeship at a company before joining up. For many, this was the first opportunity to leave their home town, travel, and mix with men from different social and geographical backgrounds. Some men enjoyed the experience while others remember it as a waste of time. For those who ended up in a war zone, it could be both exciting and scary. Indeed, National Servicemen served in armed conflicts in Malaya, Kenya, Cyprus, Korea and Egypt, so this could be an extremely dangerous experience.
Many men who were interviewed for this project enjoyed the camaraderie of the armed forces. Several would have stayed on in the military if they had been able to, but family pressure often meant that they were unable to. Some skilled men, such as engineers, were able to pursue their profession while in the forces, while others learnt new skills, such as operating radios or radar. Even for those who didn't enjoy the experience, it is generally agreed that serving in the armed forces made you grow up quickly (and 18 months or two years is a long time at this formative period of life). For many men there was a mandatory attendance at annual camps after the main period of service.
Men who were interviewed for this project talked about travelling to Hong Kong, Japan, Sudan, Cyprus, Germany, Malaya, as well as numerous camps in the UK. At the end of 1960 the last men were called up and the last National Servicemen were discharged in 1963.
This video, 'Memories of the Korean War', is based on interviews with men who were members of the Leicester branch of the British Korean Veterans' Association. Most of them were National Servicemen.
Link to You Tube playlist about National Service and Civil Defence - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3Rnsga7PXcvuX83PevCxY372VxWYPMzQ
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Service_Act_1948 (Accessed 11/12/2017)