Conscription WW2

[smudger]

Who decided what branch of the services you went into during the war?
My father went into the 45th marines and was a deep sea diver cable laying in the Maldives.Many of his school friends were in the marines also.
His younger brother though living in the same street in West Ham went into the Suffolk regiment and was killed in action on "the bloodiest square mile in Nnormandy"
smudger   
   

[nemoscenic]

Hi Smudger,
Obviously you were placed in where your skills (if any) were best suited,though when
hearing some of the old vets stories this was not so,many shoved in anywhere to make up the numbers!
In the case of my dad, somehow, he was allowed to make his own choise and joined his
younger brother in the Tank Regt,probably due to his serving eight years previous to the war in the Devonshire Regt during the twenties,doing time in India,China and a stint in Malta.
Sadly for dad he lost his brother at El Alamein,one of six brothers like them in the
same Regt.so I've read in his old comrades letters over the years,
Bless em' all  Vic

[Paul Playle]

Who decided what branch of the services you went into during the war?
My father went into the 45th marines and was a deep sea diver cable laying in the Maldives.Many of his school friends were in the marines also.
His younger brother though living in the same street in West Ham went into the Suffolk regiment and was killed in action on "the bloodiest square mile in Nnormandy"
smudger   
   

After Cyprus St in E1 lost all its men in one action in the 1914/18 war they decided to split the people up in any one road so as not to risk losing all again. I know of one chap in north London who went into a Scottish regiment!

[Bert]

I registered for conscription at age 19 in 1940. It's going back a bit but I recall that one had to register at the local Labour Exchange, which has another fancy name these days. At that stage one's Service preference was made. I chose the RAF and, to the best of my memory, to join the RAF or Royal Navy one had to express such a preference. I know that when I later went before the medical board it was for RAF recruits only.

I later reported to the RAF recruitment centre at RAF, Cardington, near Bedford. Was there for only  a few days to get kitted out but I remember being intrigued by the two huge hangars there which had housed the pre-war British airships R100 and 101. We actually had our kit dished out in one of those hangars. Then it was off to Great Yarmouth for the usual six weeks of disciplinary training, "squarebashing" and arms drill on the streets of the civilian-evacuated Great Yarmouth. I and about six others were bedded down in a room in the Regent Hotel, Regent Road. Talk about sardines in a tin! We didn't care "a monkey's", though. Couldn't go fishing or swimming in off-duty time - the beach was, we believed, mined and had a protective barrier of about a six feet roll of barbed wire.

Then we were sent our separate ways, ready for anything. For me, it was off to RAF Cranwell in Lincs for further training before being posted.

To put this in a Newham context I was later posted to RAF, Chigwell for a course before going to the Far East. In the evenings I persuaded my mates to take the train down to Stratford for a pint at The Two Puddings pub. Heard a few bangs and rumbles but that was the way of life.

What a great crowd of people we then were. No hysterics, no screaming and hugging, but just a hand shake and a meeting of the eyes.
 

[Martin]

Hi Bert. also registered for national service in Jan 1950,then it off for a medical somewere near Kings Cross,in i go with dozens of other lads,then in a louder voice NEXT strip to the waist over here a man in a white coat just poked me here and their then said drop them,a cold hand you know where said cough right stand over there you are fit(now that's what i call a examination),On Jan 19Th 1950 i was on my way to Catterick army camp up in north Yorkshire, talk about cold yes it could freeze the off a brass monkey,but it was a experience that i shall always remember,do your own washing,ironing,darn your socks,things that you just took for granted,i can remember one day i was on jankers with another boy,on the way to the guard room(with full kit on your back) an officer was passing up went our arms to salute when he call this other boys name signalman Close i have a telegram for you,on reading it its from the England Cricket Board saying Mr Brian Close you have been picked for the England team for the test match against i think it was Australia, anyway it was the most rewarding two years of my life. Martin     

[Bert]

You've stirred up a memory for me. All smartly on parade in the open air for the FFI (freedom from infection). Frost, rain or shine, out in the open,along came the Medical Officer. When he got to you you dropped your trousers and pants. He had a look and said, "Cough". If he said, "Cough" again you got concerned. Of course, he was looking for infection or hernia. Sometimes the MO would carry a cane and move "the crown jewels" for a better view. Did we care? Did we Hell!!! We took it as a matter of course. You'd have some seeking compensation for "invasion of privacy" these days but we were WW2 Hammers, proud members of the then British Nation.

[Joseph Hunt]

My story can be found on this website. Cick on Veterans.  Joe

http://www.kosb.us/index.html

[smudger]

joe
Excellent story on the link about your conscription and war in great detail,well done.
smudger   

[Leslie]

Joe, Superb Link and so detailed , Got my papers and off to Warley Barracks  to join the Essex Regt in Brentwood , six weeks basic training, then the really bad news, shipped to Gemany ( a homeposting ). After twelve months we amalgamated with the Beds & Herts( carrot-crunchers) and became the Royal Anglians. The next 3 months was sheer murder, fights, capers, and stunts being pulled all over the place. The Essex Regt lads were first class, mainly Londoners, & some of the finest men you could meet, and whilst I hated it the discipline and respect that you were taught was brilliant, something sadly lacking in today's youth. Twelve months after I was demobbed, National Conscription ended.