A Reluctant Soldier

Biography & Memoir
Cover of the book A Reluctant Soldier by William McEwan, William McEwan
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: William McEwan ISBN: 9781370376094
Publisher: William McEwan Publication: January 31, 2018
Imprint: Smashwords Edition Language: English
Author: William McEwan
ISBN: 9781370376094
Publisher: William McEwan
Publication: January 31, 2018
Imprint: Smashwords Edition
Language: English

In Britain from 1947 (after WW2) and right through until 1960 there was what was called National Service. Young men aged 18, were “Called Up” to do their 2 years compulsory military service.
The men who gave up two years of their young lives to King or Queen and Country are now in their seventies or eighties and many of them think it was a complete waste of time.
Most of these men were sent overseas to serve out their two years, they were sent to many of the trouble spots in a rapidly shrinking British Empire, to places like Aden, Korea, Cyprus, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Kenya due to the Mau Mau Uprising.
National Servicemen also served in the Suez Crisis in 1956.
In October 1950, in response to the British involvement in the Korean War, the service period was extended from 18 months to two years. The reserve period after “Demob” was reduced by six months to compensate.
Many of these young men had never left the country of their birth before, and many had never seen anyone with a different colour of skin.
This story is about just such a young man, a young Scotsman, he was a country boy, not even used to a big city, all of this was a bit traumatic for him, but in the end very much a well worth experience.
National Service ended gradually from 1957. Those born on or after 1 October 1939 would not be required, but conscription continued for those born earlier whose call-up had been delayed for any reason.
In November 1960 the last men entered service, as call-ups formally ended on 31 December 1960, and the last National Servicemen left the Armed Forces in May 1963.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

In Britain from 1947 (after WW2) and right through until 1960 there was what was called National Service. Young men aged 18, were “Called Up” to do their 2 years compulsory military service.
The men who gave up two years of their young lives to King or Queen and Country are now in their seventies or eighties and many of them think it was a complete waste of time.
Most of these men were sent overseas to serve out their two years, they were sent to many of the trouble spots in a rapidly shrinking British Empire, to places like Aden, Korea, Cyprus, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Kenya due to the Mau Mau Uprising.
National Servicemen also served in the Suez Crisis in 1956.
In October 1950, in response to the British involvement in the Korean War, the service period was extended from 18 months to two years. The reserve period after “Demob” was reduced by six months to compensate.
Many of these young men had never left the country of their birth before, and many had never seen anyone with a different colour of skin.
This story is about just such a young man, a young Scotsman, he was a country boy, not even used to a big city, all of this was a bit traumatic for him, but in the end very much a well worth experience.
National Service ended gradually from 1957. Those born on or after 1 October 1939 would not be required, but conscription continued for those born earlier whose call-up had been delayed for any reason.
In November 1960 the last men entered service, as call-ups formally ended on 31 December 1960, and the last National Servicemen left the Armed Forces in May 1963.

More books from Biography & Memoir

Cover of the book Trasformazioni by William McEwan
Cover of the book Guy Martin: Worms to Catch by William McEwan
Cover of the book For the Benefit of Those Who See by William McEwan
Cover of the book The Year of My Returning Home by William McEwan
Cover of the book Boy Erased by William McEwan
Cover of the book Murder, Interrupted by William McEwan
Cover of the book Billy Zane 191 Success Facts - Everything you need to know about Billy Zane by William McEwan
Cover of the book My Life in Milwaukee Public Schools by William McEwan
Cover of the book The Test by William McEwan
Cover of the book Charles Coburn 138 Success Facts - Everything you need to know about Charles Coburn by William McEwan
Cover of the book Irmgard's Flute by William McEwan
Cover of the book Healing Quest by William McEwan
Cover of the book A Most Improbable Adventure by William McEwan
Cover of the book Alec by William McEwan
Cover of the book Talking to the Dead by William McEwan
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy