United Kingdom
Wartime national service in Britain required the whole population to register with the government's Ministry of Labour, which could then direct people where to work. Most men aged 18 to 51 were "called up" for military service, except for those in "reserved occupations" or "essential services": Farming, Railways, Medicine, Skilled Tradesmen in war industries, Firemen, Policemen, Coal Mining and the Merchant Navy, and unmarried women under 30 could be directed into war industries such as munitions factories, the Women's Land Army or the Women's Timber Corps. Coal shortages 1944-45 meant that thousands of the last wartime conscripts were drafted into coal mines (the "Bevin Boys", named after the wartime Minister of Labour). British national service ended with victory in 1945 but was reimposed (for men only) in 1947 to enlarge the armed forces, first for an 18-month term, then for two years. Compulsory military call-up ended in 1960 and national registration was discontinued (except as required for social insurance.)
In 1964, the Barron Knights had a hit record called "Call Up The Groups", which jokingly suggested that such popular British pop groups as Freddie and the Dreamers and The Rolling Stones be enlisted. (The Beatles are also referred to in the song, but not by name.) The record went to #3 on the UK charts, providing the humourous pop group with their first hit.
Read more about this topic: National Service
Famous quotes containing the words united and/or kingdom:
“Television is an excellent system when one has nothing to lose, as is the case with a nomadic and rootless country like the United States, but in Europe the affect of television is that of a bulldozer which reduces culture to the lowest possible denominator.”
—Marc Fumaroli (b. 1932)
“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”
—Bible: New Testament Jesus, in Matthew, 6:9-13.
the Lord’s Prayer. In Luke 11:4, the words are “forgive us our sins; for we also forgive everyone that is indebted to us.” The Book of Common Prayer gives the most common usage, “forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us.”