Older Brits aged up to 65 could be called up to fight in a potential World War Three after military rules were changed. Ordinary civilians born between 1961 and 1971 could now be called up for mandatory military service after the UK Government extended the upper age limit earlier this year.
Historical Conscription Precedent
Single men aged between 20 and 22 were conscripted in 1939, six months before the war properly kicked off. Around 240,000 were mandatorily inducted into the army for a minimum of six months under the Military Training Act.
After the war kicked off the age range was broadened to men between 18 and 41 and by 1942, men as old as 60 were called to serve. Now a retired army chief has warned more people than first thought could be called in to defend the country.
Retired Army Chief's Warning
Retired army chief Lord Dannatt says there would be a particular method of enlisting people to defend the country, suggesting a contingency plan is already in place. He believes Britain would initially turn to army reservists, recalled former service personnel and younger adults, should the Government be forced to act due to a major conflict, before considering the wider population.
Compulsory military service is not currently being contemplated, but this could change should tensions continue to escalate and ultimately boil over.
Enlistment Order and Challenges
He said: "I would expect to see the Army Reserve mobilised first, then Regular Reservists recalled to active service, and then His Majesty's Government would need to consider conscription, starting with 18-24-year-olds."
Britain would not necessarily begin by compelling civilians with no military experience to join the armed forces. "Reservists and former service personnel would provide an initial pool of people with military training, although recalling them at scale would present substantial logistical challenges."
