Healthy!!,well they would get the pick of the rations,I thought it was ACC (Andy Capps Commando's) as well.

ACC - we used to call 'em something else.But all joking aside,we had some great cooks in my Regt,and the buffets in the Sgts Mess were a gourmets paradise!The only problem cooks seem to have was with their turnout for Adjts Parade!
And only the army cooks could,in my opinion,produce a really first class curry!
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Don

yes,maroon i think

I have been making myself cross-eyed looking at various pieces of information about the extensions to the length of National Service. There are elements of truth in most of the comments about why the period was extended plus, in my own mind, a combination of factors.

I will try not to make this too long (or will split it up) to prevent readers going , , or looking for high places to fall off. I have only gone back so far, to prevent me from doing any of the previous. There is quite possibly more information further back than I have been connected to this question.

NS was extended in 1950 because of the Korean War, and apparently applied to all NS personnel. As far as I can see, the extension was never removed. I have not found a firm date, as yet, as to when the extension of the 1960's was announced. I presume it was in 1960/61.

The initial decision to end NS was taken in 1957, believe it or not, at which time there were about 50,000 NS personnel still serving.

Various debates, White Papers, reports, etc. in the early 1960's, estimated that the strength of the Army should be around 180,000, with the figure of 165,000 being bandied about. It was also intimated that the strength of BAOR should be 55,000.

The strength of the Army in 1960 was listed as:-

140,300 Regular
18,400 National Service
5,800 Women

The estimate for April 1961 was:-

139,800 Regular
13,300 National Service
6,000 Women

So levels were estimated to drop, rather than increase towards the projected levels.

My own thoughts are that there were a number of factors that influenced the 6 month extension that was announced in the early 1960's.
1. The rising threat from Russia, both in Nuclear and manpower terms, put Germany and the rest of Europe under a shadow.
2. The actions of the East Germans (heavily influenced by the Russians) in Berlin, leading to its division by the Wall.
3. The Kennedy Administration began to concentrate more on conventional forces, rather that a "push button" conflict, leading to a revision in manpower planning.
4. Last, but not least, the shortfall in recruiting into the British Forces especially the Army, leaving many units short of men be they Infantry or Tradesmen/Specialists.

I think I will end "Part 1" there. More to follow.

Please remember that this is only my thoughts on the matter, and interpretation of information I have found.

Paul.

Now for some more bits of information gleaned from Hansard.

In June 1961, it was estimated that there were 1,000,000 men still liable for call-up to NS. I did not find a date when it was actually announced that call-up would cease.

In November 1961, there were still around 50,000 NS in the Army (at odds with the statement on troop levels estimated for April 1961 in previous post). It was said that those due to be released by 1st April 1961 would not need to be retained (approximately half) provided there was no increase in international tensions.

In December 1961, it was envisaged that, after April 1962, virtually all NS remaining in BAOR would have to be retained. In other theatres those with release dates after April 1962 should be able to be released. Later on, when NS numbers are lower, those in other theatres may have to be kept back and moved to BAOR.

In March 1962, NS serving in BAOR, or due to move there were to consider themselves liable for retention. It was stated that there was no need to retain those being released by 1st August 1962. A couple of days later, it was stated that it was expected that abot 6,000 would be retained in BAOR, 3628 having already been warned with the rest by the end of that month. (This points to a previous announcement about the extension of service)

(Around this period, there were the readings and numerous debates about the Army Reserve Act 1962)

In May 1962 it was stated that there had been 591 appeals against retention, with 104 granted. Also in this month, it was said that good recruiting figures enabled fewer than the 15,000 initially required would be needed. (again at odds with previous statements) Just over 9,000 would be required, with 1,100 coming from outside BAOR.

In June 1962 it was stated that 9,912 had been warned for retention under the Army Reserve Act 1962. There had been 1195 appeals, with 18% approved.

End of Part 2. Tune in later for another thrilling episode.

Paul.

In July 1962, it was raised in Parliament that there was rumour circulating in the Far East that those NS due to be discharged in November 1962 were to be moved to Germany by October, with a possible 6 month extension to their service. Mr Profumo referred the member to his statement of November 1961.

Also in July, it was stated that 9,121 had been warned for retention. Of these 2962 were married men - 550 had 1 child, 67 had 2 children, and 2 had 3 or more children. 156 appeals by married men with children were outstanding at this time (the figure of 9,121 was questioned, against the previous figure of 9,912, by another member - the answer given was typical "Minister Speak" designed to baffle. It worked for me )

In August 1962, the figure for the number of retentions was back to 9,912. There had been 1764 appeals of which 198 had been granted exemption on the grounds of hardship at that time.

By November 1962, the number of NS retained was 9,200. There had been 2413 appeals, and 623 had been approved up to that time. Others were still outstanding.

Also in 1962 it was announced that under the Army Reserve Act 1962 there were around 100,000 men who had completed NS, who were liable to be recalled to serve for 6 months. This applied for three and a half years, up to sometime in 1966.

There was also a statement in 1961 regarding a National Serviceman who had transferred to the Regulars, and then obtained a Discharge By Purchase. He was recalled to complete the remainder of his National Service.

That is about all the information I have found at the moment, and I think that is about all I will be doing unless something comes to mind, or is glaringly obvious.

As I said, this is information found in the on-line Hansard. These are my notes and interpretation of what I read, and are not to be taken as truly accurate.

Paul.

The last intake of National Servicemen took place in 1960 and only the crisis surrounding the erection of the Berlin Wall delayed the end of conscription.

http://www.britisharmedforces.org/ns/nat_history.htm

Being a regular with many NS men serving with me I can only say they were the best,have we any on here?
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Don