“Despite Britain’s industrial and naval strength, its politicians generally avoided war for most of the 1800s, adopting a foreign policy of ‘splendid isolation’”
Jennifer Llewellyn, Jim Southey and Steve Thompson, 2024, Alpha History
“On 4 August 1914, Britain declared war on Germany.”
Archivist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2024
“27 January 1916 was a watershed moment in modern British history. The Military Service Act was passed, enforcing compulsory military service for the first time on British society.”
David Langrish, 2016, National Archives (UK)
“Initially, the Act specified that single men aged 18 to 41 who were outside of a protected occupation (those jobs considered of national importance) were now part of the army reserve and liable for immediate call-up. Also included were widowers without children.”
David Langrish, 2016, National Archives (UK)
“In May 1916 the Act was amended to include married men.”
David Langrish, 2016, National Archives (UK)
“By 1918 it had been extended in age range to 51.”
David Langrish, 2016, National Archives (UK)
“World War One ended at 11am on 11 November, 1918. This became known as Armistice Day - the day Germany signed an armistice (an agreement for peace) which caused the fighting to stop.”
Unknown author, 2024, British Broadcast Corporations
The Military Service Act ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed. Until WWII, there was no more conscription.
“During the spring of 1939 the deteriorating international situation forced the British government under Neville Chamberlain to consider preparations for a possible war against Nazi Germany.”
Gavin Thompson, UK Parliament
“On the day Britain declared war on Germany, 3 September 1939, Parliament immediately passed the National Service (Armed Forces) Act, which imposed conscription on all males aged between 18 and 41 who had to register for service.”
Oliver Gawkins, UK Parliament
“In December 1941 Parliament passed a second National Service Act. It widened the scope of conscription still further by making all unmarried women and all childless widows between the ages of 20 and 30 liable to call-up.”
Gavin Thompson, UK Parliament
“Men were now required to do some form of National Service up to the age of 60, which included military service for those under 51.”
Oliver Gawkins, UK Parliament
“World War II was the biggest and deadliest war in history, involving more than 30 countries. Sparked by the 1939 Nazi invasion of Poland, the war dragged on for six bloody years until the Allies defeated the Axis powers of Nazi Germany, Japan and Italy in 1945.”
Mark Taylor, UK Parliament.
"In June 1945 the process began of demobilising the thousands of men and women who had served in the forces during the war."
Unknown author, UK Parliament
“[After WWII ended] there was still an urgent need to keep up high levels of military manpower in parts of the world where Britain had strong ongoing commitments – in Germany, Palestine, and India.”
Unknown author, UK Parliament
It was therefore with difficulty that Clement Attlee's Labour government persuaded Parliament in 1947 to pass the National Service Act.
Gavin Thompson, UK Parliament
“It came into force in January 1949 and meant that all physically fit males between the ages of 17 and 21 had to serve in one of the armed forces for an 18-month period.
They then remained on the reserve list for another four years. During this time they were liable to be called to serve with their units but on no more than three occasions, for 20 days maximum.
After 1945, however, National Service did not extend to women.”
Unknown author, UK Parliament
“National Service ended in 1960, though periods of deferred service still had to be completed.”
Oliver Gawkins, UK Parliament
“The last national servicemen were discharged in 1963.”
Unknown author, UK Parliament
Despite the wars during this time, there was no conscription.
“We, [Rishi Sunak and his team] will introduce a bold new model of National Service for 18 year olds, to be spent either in competitive full time military commission over twelve months, or with one weekend per month volunteering in roles within the community, like delivering prescriptions and food to infirm people, or in search and rescue.”
Rishi Sunak, 2024, National Service: Why I'll Bring it Back