A Falklander's National Service

The system of conscription ran from 1939-1960.    

From January 1949 healthy males 17-21 years old were also expected to serve in the armed forces for 18 months and remain on the reserve list for four years.  They could be recalled to their units for up to 20 days for no more than three occasions during these four years.

Men were exempt from National Service if they had continuously worked in one of the essential services for a period of 8 years.  These were coal mining, farming and the Merchant Navy.

The last National Servicemen left the armed forces in May 1963.