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The Story of Conscription

Does your country have the right to compel you to do military service? Explore how 100 years ago – and for the very first time – the UK government crossed that line.

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'Are You In This', 1915

‘Are You In This’, 1915

More details: NAM. 1977-06-81-29

Pamphlet issued by The National Service League, 1908

Pamphlet issued by The National Service League, 1908

NAM. 1974-07-65-8

‘Everyone Should Do His Bit Enlist Now’, 1915

‘Everyone Should Do His Bit Enlist Now’, 1915

More details: NAM. 2005-11-222-1

Volunteers outside a London recruiting office, August 1914

Volunteers outside a London recruiting office, August 1914

More details: NAM. 1978-11-157-22-18

'Daddy what did You do in the Great War', 1915

‘Daddy what did You do in the Great War’, 1915

More details: NAM. 1977-06-81-16

‘Women of Britain Say - Go’

‘Women of Britain Say – Go’

More details: NAM. 1977-06-81-30

The Military Service Act 1916

The Military Service Act 1916

More details: NAM. 2014-07-32-1

'The Slacker MUST Follow Him Now', c1916

‘The Slacker MUST Follow Him Now’, c1916

More details: NAM. 2014-07-37-1

British Troops on the Western Front, 1916

British Troops on the Western Front, c1916

NAM. 1978-11-157-24-43

Reception of Recruits, circa 1940

Reception of Recruits, c1940

NAM. 1989-10-122-32

National Service Acts, 1948 to 1955

National Service Acts, 1948 to 1955

More details: NAM. 2002-09-5-1

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Download the Learning Resources

  • Conscription - Resource Pack
    (9.7MB)

Related timeline events

  • Lord Kitchener’s appeal for new recruits
  • Conscription begins in Britain

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