Introduced in 1947 to resolved military manpower services after the Second World War it resulted in two million men being called up to join the British armed services..
But to many the experience of National Service was one of mindless drill and being shouted art by sergeants under pressure to knock conscripts into shape.
Some hated it, others saw it as character building camaraderie. Accommodation was often stark, cold barracks with primitive toilets and poor washing facilities.
Only the lucky had newly built brick barracks with central heating. Some were deployed to war zones in Suez, Malaysia, and Korea.
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