X-Nico

6 unusual facts about conscription in the United Kingdom


Barry Cole

Apart from two years (1970–1972) as Northern Arts Fellow in Literature at the universities of Durham and Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and two years (1955–1957) in the RAF as a National Serviceman, he worked until 1995 as an editor at the Central Office of Information, and is now a freelance editor and writer.

Battle of the Imjin River

The British soldiers were a mixture of regular soldiers, reservists and conscripted National servicemen.

Blind Veterans UK

Blind Veterans UK works to provide vision impaired Armed Forces and National Service veterans with the services and tailored support they need to lead independent lives after sight loss.

Conscription in the United Kingdom

There was a system of Military Service Tribunals to adjudicate upon claims for exemption upon the grounds of performing civilian work of national importance, domestic hardship, health, and conscientious objection.

Lads' Army

Shown on ITV, Bad Lads Army is based on the premise of subjecting today's delinquent young men to the conditions of conscripts to British Army National Service of the 1950s to see if this could rehabilitate them.

Roy Erskine

After completing his spell of National Service, Erskine began his football career with Hibernian.


Derek Tapscott

In October 1950, he was called up for his national service, joining 4 Training Regiment of the Royal Engineers.

Humphrey Burton

Born 1931 in Trowbridge, Wiltshire, he attended Long Dene, a co-educational progressive school 1943-47, and the Judd School, Tonbridge 1947-49, and did 18 months National Service in the Royal Corps of Signals before reading music and history at Fitzwilliam House, Cambridge during 1951-54.

Jim Holdaway

After spending two years of National Service from 1945 with the East Surrey Regiment, Holdaway went to Italy, Austria and Greece before returning to art school on an ex-Serviceman's grant.

Lionel Crawford

He was educated at Rendcomb College between 1941 and 1950 before being called up for National Service.

Norman Willis

He worked for the TGWU from 1949–1951, before two years National Service.

R. J. Hollingdale

He was called up to the Royal Air Force at a young age in the late 1940s, as part of his National Service, for two years before returning to journalism.

Trevor Meredith

He was conscripted into the British Army at the age of 17, and was playing semi-professional football for Kidderminster Harriers when he was scouted by Burnley.


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