More than two million men were conscripted between 1949 and 1963 <\/blockquote> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>Men were needed for the ongoing miltary occupations of Germany and Japan, which began with the end of World War II. Tensions between the US and Russia during the Cold War<\/a> also put pressure on Britain\u2019s military, while Indian independence in 1947 had removed a large source of previously relied-upon manpower.<\/p>\n
Who was exempt from National Service?<\/h3>\n
All able-bodied men between the ages of 18 and 30 were liable to be called up, but there were exceptions \u2013 the blind and mentally ill, clergymen and men who worked in government positions overseas.<\/p>\n
Black and Asian British men were also unofficially excluded \u2013 in 1946 there were concerns that commissions given to non-white officers could affect the well-being and discipline of the army. Due to the tensions in Northern Ireland, Northern Irish men were also excluded.<\/p>\n
Students could defer the call-up until their studies had been completed, while conscientious objectors had to undergo a tribunal test to prove their beliefs.<\/p>\n
What was National Service like?<\/h3>\n
New recruits were given six weeks\u2019 basic military training and had to undertake a regime of cleaning equipment and drills. For some this was boring, but for others it gave stability, discipline and the chance to bond with their comrades, as well as an opportunity to learn new skills and languages.<\/p>\n
National Service also offered travel to far-flung destinations such as Egypt or Borneo \u2013 new opportunities for those who otherwise would not have had the means to venture beyond Britain.<\/p>\n
How long did National Service last, and where were men deployed?<\/h3>\n
The initial serving period was 18 months, but during the Korean War<\/a> (1950-53) this was extended to two years; everyone was liable to be called up at any time in the four years after their training. National Service soldiers kept the peace during periods of civil unrest and, in some cases, were at the front line when other countries fought for independence from the British empire. Service wasn\u2019t risk-free, either: 395 national servicemen were killed while on active duty.<\/p>\n
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- Read more | Forging alliances: Britain and the US in the Korean War<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Were men paid for National Service?<\/h3>\n
Yes. In 1948, a basic soldier was paid 28 shillings a week (equivalent to about \u00a350 today). By 1960, this had risen to 38 shillings. However, in comparison to the average weekly wage in Britain (15 pounds, 10 shillings) this was poor.<\/p>\n
When did National Service end?<\/h3>\n
As the British empire dwindled in size, Britain had less of a need for large armed forces to protect its overseas territories. A review of Britain\u2019s defence resources in 1957 reassessed the need for conscripts and, taking into account advances in nuclear warfare, large armies were deemed ineffective compared to modern weapons.<\/p>\n
The changing nature of war meant that professional soldiers were now needed, and the training of large numbers of national servicemen took away these experienced men \u2013 not to mention depleted British workforces. The last national serviceman \u2013 Second Lieutenant Richard Vaughan of the Royal Army Pay Corps \u2013 was demobbed in May 1963.<\/p>\n
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- Read more |\u00a0 How have nuclear weapons shaped global politics? 10 key moments in the post-war atomic world<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Do other countries still have National Service?<\/h3>\n
Yes, in many countries across the world \u2013 and in some cases for women as well as men.<\/p>\n
These include South Korea, Eritrea, Switzerland, Brazil, Israel and Syria. North Korea has the longest compulsory national service: 11 years for men and seven for women. Countries such as the US use a Selective Service where almost all men aged 18 must register in case a need for conscription should arise.<\/p>\n
More from our explainer series\u2026<\/h4>\n
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- What happened to the city of Babylon and the Tower of Babel<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n
- The Great Depression \u2013 why did it happen, and how long did it last?<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n
- The Spanish Inquisition \u2013 was it as brutal as it is popularly believed to be?<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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