The National Service years spanned from 1947 until 1963, and in that time more than two million men were conscripted into the British Army, Royal Navy or the Royal Air Force.

National Service was mandatory. Generally all able-bodied men between the ages of 18 and 30 were called up. However, it was possible to defer if working as an apprentice or studying, or even be exempted altogether if working in one of the three essential services which were coal mining, farming and the merchant navy. 

National Service conscripts were expected to serve 18 months. This was extended up to 2 years during the Korean War (1950-53). Once they had been demobbed, conscripts had to remain on the reserve list for four years, and could be recalled to their units if needed.

All National Service conscripts were asked to attend medical assessments, after which they were sent for six weeks of basic training in the British Army. Once the conscripts arrived at their training base they were issued with their uniform and equipment, and training could begin. Young men from across the country and from a wide range of experiences and social backgrounds were expected to live, train and work together at close quarters. They had to adapt to military life and discipline within a matter of weeks.

Following completion of their basic training, conscripts were allocated to one of the armed forces to serve. After basic training, National Service conscripts served in a variety of roles across the Armed Forces. As well as serving at home, Servicemen were posted to one of Britain's many garrisons around the world. An overseas posting often meant that the conscripts saw active service. It is hard now to imagine that many of the young men who were conscripted, with minimal training, were expected to fight. Between 1947 and 1963, a total of 395 National Servicemen were killed in active service. Many more experienced things that they will never forget.

The men who completed National Service are now a minimum of 77 years old. For this generation of men, compulsory National Service was quite simply what had to be done. An expected commitment of their time, their efforts, and in many cases - their lives.

In the National Service Remembered podcast series, there are 9 episodes each featuring extraordinary accounts from servicemen. The podcast aims to bring to life the stories of those who were conscripted, honouring the heroic contribution a generation of men gave to their country, capturing their wealth of knowledge and historic experiences for generations to come.