Conscription in Britain 1939-1964

The Militarization of a Generation

By Roger Broad

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About the Book

Conscription in Britain 1939-1964 outlines the historical record of conscription from the fyrd of the Dark Ages through to Nelson’s day and the First World War, but above all explores conscription during the Second World War and the National Service that continued in the decade afterwards.

Covering the major aspects of the topic, this book analyzes the strategic and political considerations that governed British military recruitment during this time, and sheds light on individual experiences in the services. Other chapters look at the demands made on services, the selection and training process of officers and men, and how discipline was imposed. The period following the Second World War is also investigated, considering the effects of twenty-four years of continuous conscription on the services themselves, as well as on women’s rights, attitudes towards authority and patriotism, race issues, and the breakout of individualism in the 1960s.

Table of Contents

Introduction. Part I. The Origins 1. The Fyrd and the Militia 2. 1900-20: Volunteers or Pressed Men? Part II. The Strategic Needs 1. The Maritime and the Continental 2. Survival and Success 3. Cold War and Imperial Decline Part III. The Politics 1. Pledges and Pacifism 2. Pulling Together, Mainly 3. ‘Peacetime’ Conscription Part IV. The Experience 1. The Men 2. The Women 3. Matlos, Squaddies and Erks 4. Wrens, Atts and Waffs 5. Pegs and Holes 6. Officers and Gentlemen 7. Colour, Class and Creed 8. The Exempted and the Rejected 9. The Objectors 10. The Rebels 11. Misfortunes of War 12. Patriots and Neutrals 13. At Sea and Down the Pit 14. Defending the Home Front 15. At the Lathe, on the Land 16. Demob Part V. The Effects Notes and References. Bibliography. Index

About the Author(s)

Roger Broad was conscripted into the Royal Army Educational Corps in 1950-1 before reading Modern History at the The Queen’s College, Oxford. He went into journalism, and was later for 22 years as official of the European Commission and of the European Parliament.