Last updated: 7 September 2011
Now Open - Level 3 Corridor
In 1945 Britain celebrated the end of the Second World War. However, this victory did not mean an end to Britain’s military commitments abroad. The nation faced new challenges in a rapidly changing world and to meet these the young men of Britain were called up.
Our National Service display explores the contribution of Britain’s post-war conscripts as they moved from civilian to soldier. The experiences these young men went through, including call-up, training, drilling, polishing kit and equipment and deployment, is portrayed in the soldiers’ own words. This is contrasted with detail on the political factors that made these commitments necessary.
The exhibition is largely delivered through oral history, quotations, illustrations and photographs. Objects such as ankle boots, dubbin and a polishing brush reflect the repetitive nature of a serviceman’s tasks. The far-flung and exotic locations these men were sent to are shown with a pair of Mau Mau deerskin shorts and a native Malayan parang. A captured Malayan communist flag and a Simonov self-loading rifle demonstrate the political causes these men found themselves fighting against.
26 February 2011, 1.32pm
My time spent in the RAMC
My time spent in the RAMC 1946 (demob stopped) 1949
a complte and utter waste of time. But I enjoyed my posting to Trieste, even though it took three days by train to get there.
16 March 2011, 11.19pm
Those pig-ignorant
Those pig-ignorant foul-mouthed louts who made life for recruits in the first few weeks should never have been allowed to get away with their behaviour! The National Service and regular officers deserve condemnation for permitting and in many cases encouraging it. I refused the chance of a commission since I would never have been able to condone it let alone encourage it. It was a contemptible period. Contrary to what one would have thought, the introduction of Staybrite buttons and the abolution of Blanco did NOT bring about the collapse of the British Army. From memory, I had to scrub all of my webbing on 3 separate occasions.
I served from 1954 to 1956 and apart from Basic Training it was apparent that for MOST N.S soldiers there was little enough to do apart from improving on cigarette consumption and beer drinking, not forgetting swearing.
I have not forgotten those poor chaps in Cyprus, Kenya and Malaya and Suez who extended the life of the dog-end of the Empire. All very grubby!
5 April 2011, 5.08pm
Personally I thoroughly
Personally I thoroughly enjoyed it, Of course as a techie it was a piece of p***. Loafing around in Singapore visiting Bangkok. Of course it was a little rough at times during basic training but nothing really hard after 1959. Unless you were a complete wimp of course. Bark was always worse than bite and in our group we stuck together and helped each other. Wouldn't have missed it for worlds. Wish they still had it.
23 April 2011, 1.35pm
I think some blokes were a
I think some blokes were a little over-sensitive for NS really and just counted the days till demob instead of looking around at what was possible. Somebody should have explained to them that when NCOs swore at you, it was nothing personal. Just the way the army had functioned for three centuries. NS was a shock to the system certainly but a pretty valuable lesson in getting on with other people in the billet, people who came from all levels of society. The first few months were tough but once clear of the depot, I had a great time in Germany from 54 to 56 and travelled all over the place. I then went home, couldn't settle down and re-enlisted. This time, instead of the infantry, I got a trade and stayed in for 22 years, after which I opened my own garage and got a good living from it. I imagine the majority of the 2.5 million blokes who went through NS have a fairly positive view looking back after half a century.
30 April 2011, 10.40pm
N S was an opportunity which
N S was an opportunity which had to be grasped with both hands. Wanting to become a vet, I was put into the RAMC where I became a radiographer being then posted to Catterick Mil Hosp. and then out to the BMH in Fayid, Canal Zone. This was the time when the school boys became men and when you met such a diversity of people such as you would never have met but for these two years. All in all it was a superb time with only minor problems such as square bashing and kit inspections.
11 May 2011, 5.37pm
Unwillingly, and with some
Unwillingly, and with some trepidation I joined up in August 1956.
Having just graduated I believed I was "the special one" -
comprehensively eradicated by 8 weeks square bashing and "bull".
So the NCOs swore at you and taught you new and exotic words and phrases -- so what? - an Army manned by individualists is doomed to failure. Although I had some doubts about the quality of some NS officers I met, the Regular NCOs I served with were on top of their job and we would have followed our OC anywhere.
Offered the chance to join a specialist Sigs. unit I spent 18 months in BAOR, did a lot of travelling at Her Majesty's behest (and expense).
I remember the experience fondly over 50 years later and I never rose above the substantive rank of private!
27 May 2011, 3.43pm
I was called up in 1959 and
I was called up in 1959 and when I went for the medical I was asked which of 2 choices of regiments I would like to be posted to. (By then the Navy or RAF were not taking NS conscripts). I had my choices well worked out, 2 cushy mobs with which to spend the obligatory 2 years. So I asked to be put in either the RAOC or REME. Imagine my shock when my call up papers came through, I was to report to the Guards Depot in Caterham where I was put in the Grenadier Guards! Funny thing was when I went for the medical/selection I had been chatting to a guy who actually wanted to go in the Guards but I never met him again in the Army so I often wondered if they got us mixed up. Still, I became very good at ironing and spit and polishing, still am!
19 October 2011, 5.35pm
I was called in 1951 hoping
I was called in 1951 hoping to go to RASC Water Transport as promised at interview - wrong. Sent to be trained as clerk I became a permanent staff NCO in Aldershot - cushy really - but - we were all posted frequently to Korea and withdrawn for staffing reasons many times. The complaints of Paul Croxson don't ring true with me. It was all a good experience in mixing and an education I remember now. The army had to be ready for the Cold War and Korea at that time and 'pussy footing' around would be of no use. War is tough and wimps are of no use. What else was NS for?
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