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The iconic First World War recruitment poster, featuring Lord Horatio Kitchener asking British citizens to "join up" in 1914. Drawing by Alfred Leete.
Gen Sir Patrick Sanders, the head of the British Army, has said people must be prepared to support the armed forces by participating in a war if called upon to do so. Referring to people in the UK as a "prewar generation",
Speaking at the International Armoured Vehicles conference in west London on Wednesday, Sanders' remarks have been read as a warning to civilians to be ready should Nato go to war with Russia.
Sanders, who is retiring as chief of the General Staff in the Army this summer, referred to the UK's allies as examples of countries "laying the foundations for national mobilisation".
He highlighted the role that Ukrainian civilians have played in the war against Russia, implying that he envisions a similar strategy for the UK, should conflict ever break out.
"Taking preparatory steps to enable placing our societies on a war footing when needed are now not merely desirable but essential," he said, adding: "Within the next three years, it must be credible to talk of a British Army of 120,000, folding in our reserve and strategic reserve."
Since making the statement, social media has been alight with concerns about conscription.Some expressed scepticism that it would be possible to mobilise many people, given the low popularity of the government and anti-war sentiment.I simply cannot see Gen Z or millennials accepting this; conscientious objections and civil disobedience would be abundant.
On Wednesday, a spokesperson for Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak insisted the UK government had 'no intention' of bringing back conscription. They added: 'The British military has a proud tradition of being a voluntary force. There are no plans to change that.' The Downing Street official also labelled 'hypothetical scenarios' about potential future conflicts as unhelpful.
Previously when conscription was used in Britain it was often dependent on age, with many younger citizens being called up to bear arms first. When conscription was first introduced between 1916 and 1920 - during the Fist World War - unmarried men from the ages of 16 to 40 were summoned to bear arms for their country.
Unless they were in a particular career which was needed for the war effort - or were single parent or minister of religion - they would be expected to serve for King and country. By the time the Second World War rolled around, single men between the ages of 20 and 22 were required to serve.
However as the war continued to blaze, men aged between 18 and 41 - except those who were deemed medically unfit or workers in key industries - had to register for service.The fighting age range then became bigger, with anyone aged 18 to 51 liable to be drafted.
Prison workers, students, medical staff, ministers of religion, government staff and police officers were all exempt from bearing arms, however. Additional exceptions were also based on health, so those who had mental of physical isssues, such as blindness were not called to the frontlines.
Unlike the aforementioned groups, pregnant women were liable to conscription however in reality they were never summoned to serve.
For millions of British citizens, conscription was a controversial issue, especially for those who had strong anti-war convictions,Those who objected on moral grounds became Conscientious Objectors. A pacifist who objected to war in principle and therefore refused to be enlisted was considered a Conscientious Objector.
Others had political objections to the war as they did not consider the government of Germany to be their enemy. Some had religious objections to the war, believing whole-heartedly in the commandment 'thou shalt not kill'. Members of religious groups such as Quakers or Jehovah's Witnesses fell into this category.
As with those wishing to be exempted from fighting for reasons of employment, family needs or disability, Conscientious Objectors had to attend a Tribunal hearing to register their objection to participating in combat. If a man's job was considered valuable to the war effort, he was exempted from enlisting. The cases of Conscientious Objectors, however, were usually rejected.
Those who had been rejected were forcibly enlisted in a combatant Corps, although some could opt to join the Royal Army Medical Corps. If the Objector refused to don the uniform and cooperate he would be sent to prison where the conditions were harsh.
The No Conscription Fellowship was formed to campaign against the imposition of compulsory conscription. Later, when this failed and conscription became law, the NCF provided support for conscientious objectors throughout the country.There were over 20,000 Conscientious Objectors in Britain between the years of 1916-1918.
During the Second World War, men up to the age of 60 were required to do some form of National Service. After the war, when the passing of the National Service Act came into force In 1949, conscription became a major part of British life once again.
Initially recruits were required to serve for 18 months, but this was extended to two years when the Korean War started in 1950. Only those who failed the medical or who worked in the three 'essential' industries of coalmining, farming and the merchant navy were exempt.
National Service was deemed necessary in part because of Britain's military commitments abroad.But towards the tail end of the 1950s National Service was scrapped, because of the burden it placed on the Army and the fact that workers were being drained from the economy.
The last recruits entered the armed forces in November 1960, with their service coming to an end in 1963. In the present day, there is no conscription legislation in the UK, thank goodness and only those who have a desire to pursue a military career join the army. Therefore, it is unprobable that you would be asked to engage in military combat for Britain under the present legislation. If they were, it would largely be dependent on your age, career path and fitness.
Sunak trying to look tough by bombing the Houthis is one thing, but the Tories using the threat of WW3 to try and get re-elected is next level evil. All this talk about preparing for War with Russia, China and Iran. Whoever, expanding armaments, conscription. Put all this energy into peace. No, I'm not naive but it's this sort of war talk driven by the media and certaint politicians that makes me so bloody angry. Conscription? Fucking do one! We are NOT going to allow it!
The idea of dragooning ordinary people into these wars is utterly reprehensible and underlines the dystopian nature of the increasingly aggressive foreign policy being pursued by this government.
Personally speaking In case of any attempts of conscription into the UK army, I would like to put on Public Record.I have flat feet. I am short sighted,I have a dodgy shoulder. Besides all that I'm probably far too old for all this rubbish, and I hate bloody wars.If you’re happy to be a disposable pawn in a game of proxy war chess, then good for you. I on the other hand, am not.
I do however love the absolute hubris of people like Sir Patrick Sanders,and politicians demanding people put their life on the line for a political system that has been actively excluding, disenfranchising and in many cases, trying to kill them, for decades Russia is not the enemy. China is not the enemy. are. Anyone pushing for this stipid idea needs to lead by example and go fight their own fucking wars and the UK Government will always be a bigger direct threat to UK citizens than Russia.Besides this millions would defy conscription and young people want peace not war..I think the following sums up my thoughts on conscription perfectly!
