Prologue

Prologue

The National Service Act of 1948 made it mandatory for men aged between 17 and 21 years of age to be conscripted to serve in the armed forces for a period of 18 months but later extended to two years. 2.5 million people were called up, 6000 every two weeks.

There were certain exceptions for people in reserved jobs such as miners and merchant navy personnel. Everyone was called up when they reached the age of 18 years but, if they were serving an apprenticeship, they were deferred until their apprenticeship was finished. In reality they were only called up to serve in the army or airforce.

So when I reached the age of 18 I was called up but was deferred when I produced evidence that I was serving an apprenticeship which would end after I was 20. I was then called up again and told to report to Queensferry House in Edinburgh for a medical. I was looking forward to the experience of service life and had made up my mind to serve my time in the R.A.F. and, to make sure of this, I volunteered to sign on for three years and so became a regular. National servicemen were paid 28 shillings per week but regulars were paid £3.00.

The morning of my medical I attended at the appointed place and was given a series of talks on various aspects of the armed forces and interviewed by two officers who asked me for my preferences. I stated I would like to sign on for three years. They said that would be OK and asked when my apprenticeship was finished. I said January 16th and they asked when I would like to join the R.A.F. to which I replied January 17th.

The afternoon was taken up by medical examinations by various specialists and I was pleased when they passed me A1.

I was told to expect to hear from them nearer January which I did and was told to report to the R.A.F. offices in Princes Street, Edinburgh.
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