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Posted by Italophile (U2460529) on Monday, 29th May 2006
Anyone out there know of any sources on this. Or know anything about it themselves. Or, indeed, have any thoughts/opinions on it.
Can we keep it to post WWII please as theres' plenty of material available for wartime Pacifism/Conscientious Objection.
Also, was it possible to get exemption from service on 'non-religious' grounds?
Also, just for the sake of argument, can we ignore the fact that the period between 1945 and the end of National Service in 1962 was not exactly conflict free and accept that it was, broadly speaking, 'peacetime'?
WL
The only source I have is Tevor Royle's "The Best Years Of Their Lives" (1986, Michael Jospeh, ISBN 0-340-42213-0).
According to Royle, the procedure was essentially the same as during WWII, and unless the objection was on religious, or quasi-religious grounds, there was virtually no chance of it being granted. Those who refused to undertake service of any kind went to prison for 6 months.
He cites figures for 47/48: 922 applied for registration as COs, 31 were registered unconditionally, 429 were registered conditionally (agreeing to take on civilian-type work in lieu), 187 given non-combatant duties (RAMC or the Non-Combatant Corps, essentially hard labouring duties)and 275 failed to be placed on the register - so either accepted call-up or went to prison.
Royle suggests the number registering necer rose above 04%, and that included men registering for exemption on other grounds, such as hardship or domestic circumstances.
Hope this helps.
Sorry, 0.4%. Relevant pages are 38-42 in the paperback edition.
Thanks C3Square, - I'll see if I can get a copy, - sounds interesting.
No probs. Would be interested if you find a more detailed on source on this topic.
WL
Found a copy of Tom Hickman's book (remaindered) this afternoon on the way to the station, and think it's probably more what you are looking for -
"The Call-Up" Tom Hickman (2004, Headline, London, ISBN 0-75533-1241-4). Relevant pages are 228-231.
From flicking though it on the way home, it concentrates much more on the social aspects of National Service.
Cheers C3Aquare,
If I turn up any new stuff I'll post it on this MB.
Sorry - another typo - I meant C3Square. My posts will start looking like the musings of that gendarme in 'Allo 'Allo!
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