National Service: From Aldershot to Aden: Tales from the Conscripts, 1946-62

by Colin Shindler

Permission to speak, Sah! In the aftermath of World War II, more than two million men were conscripted to serve in Britain's armed services. Some were sent abroad and watched their friends die in combat. Others remained in barracks and painted coal white. But despite delivering such varied experiences, National Service helped to shape the outlook of an entire generation of young British males. Historian Dr. Colin Shindler has interviewed a wide range of ex-conscripts, from all backgrounds, across all ranks, and spanning the entire 14 years that peacetime conscription lasted, and captured their memories in this engrossing book. From them, we experience the tension of a postwar Berlin surrounded by Russians, the exotic heat and color of Tripoli in 1948, the brief but intense flashpoint of the Suez Crisis, and the fear of the Mau Mau uprising in Kenya. But we also hear about the other end of the scale, the conscripts who didn't make it outside the confines of their barracks, or in one case, beyond his home town. Through these conversations we learn as much about the changing attitudes of servicemen as war became more of a distant memory as we do about the varied nature of their experiences. We see, too, the changing face of British society across these pivotal years, which span everything from the coronation of Elizabeth II, to the birth of rock 'n' roll, to the beginning of the end of the Empire. The stories within these pages are fascinating. And they deserve to be told before they are lost forever.

Genres: Nonfiction, Military Fiction, History

328 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2012

Reviews

[Rupert Hague-Holmes · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. If you want an understanding of the social changes that took place in Britain in the late 1940s through to the early 1960s, this book is a welcome read. Although it contains memories of National Service soldiers and officers, it provides a deeper analysis of the class consciousness and frugality of post WW2 Britain.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of personal stories from the men who where conscripted into national service. Broke into 3 parts to cover the start, middle and end of national service. Interesting to get an insight into what life was like in the Forces as a national serviceman but gets a little repetitive in parts, as a lot of experiences where repeated. I'd have liked a more diverse collection but still interesting to read. Most enjoyed their time in the Forces hardly any though chose to extend their service, most claim it made them and it should be brought back.

[Terry Kelly · Rating 1 out of 5]

We got out asap

I became bored with the contributors . Most criticise the British class system but used it to get away from the rough boys with accents . Grammar and public school snobs !

[Peter Chleboun · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating insight into a somewhat forgotten period of British history in the run-up to the end of empire and into the start of the swinging sixties.

[Samuel Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting read. A compendium of testimonies of those who did National Service in Britain.

[Charlie Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read