Genealogy Chat

Can anyone tell me if there is a way to find out if someone did national service and also what age did you have to be? This would be 1960 ish

Thank you

Linda

This should be helpful

This is where you can find out all you want to know about National Service (1947-1963) with particular reference to the British Army. ...
www.britisharmedforces.org/ns/nat_army_index.htm - Cached -

Most men 18years plus where "conscripted" for a 2 year term. Some were deferred to enable Apprenticeships to be completed.
Apart from being "unfit", I'm not sure who if any were exempt.

Thank you Alan very interesting site.....

Linda x

someone going in for "Higher Education", ie university or college, could defer National Service until after completion of education .... which meant that you sometimes had conscripts who were 21 or so.

I'm not sure what happened if such a deferred person decided to get a Masters or PhD degree ........ whether the deferment was continued the further 3 or 4 years.


This deferment for Higher Education worked to OH's benefit .......... as conscription was cancelled while he was at university, so he never had to do National Service.

He then got his PhD, taught in the UK for a couple of years, and moved to the US in 1967 ................... where he was of an age to be conscripted into their forces fighting in Vietnam.

He was classifed 4F ....... which actually was a category for too old/infirm/in restricted or special employment. In about April 1968, they started re-classifying 4F .... especially those of age and in special employment.

We were very glad that we were leaving for Canada in August, but one of our acquaintances, a Swiss chef, left the US hurriedly at 2 days notice when he was re-classified!



sylvia