A Brief Overview of the Post-World War II Demobilisation Strikes

Introduction Post-World War II demobilisation strikes occurred within Allied military forces stationed across the Middle East, India and South-East Asia in the months and years following World War II. Outline American military personnel based in occupied Germany were holding mass parades for speedier demobilisation and in the Philippines formed soldiers committees and went on demonstrations… Read More

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What was the National Service Act 1948 (UK)?

Introduction The National Service Act 1948 was an Act of Parliament which extended the British conscription of the Second World War long after the war-time need for it had expired, in the form of “National Service”. After a bill with the same purpose had been approved in 1947, expected to be implemented 01 January 1949,… Read More

What was the National Service (Armed Forces) Act 1939 (UK)?

Introduction The National Service (Armed Forces) Act 1939 was enacted by the Parliament of the United Kingdom on 03 September 1939, the day the United Kingdom declared war on Germany at the start of the Second World War. It superseded the Military Training Act 1939 (enacted in May of that year) and enforced full conscription… Read More

A Brief Overview of the RAF Strikes of 1946

Introduction The Royal Air Force (RAF) strikes of 1946 was a series of demonstrations and strikes at several dozen RAF stations in the Indian subcontinent beginning on 22 January 1946. As these incidents involved refusals to obey orders they technically constituted a form of mutiny. Refer to Demobilisation of the British Armed Forces after the… Read More

An Overview of the Demobilisation of the British Armed Forces after World War II

Introduction At the end of the Second World War, there were approximately five million servicemembers in the British Armed Forces. The demobilisation and reassimilation of this vast force back into civilian life was one of the first and greatest challenges facing the postwar British government. Demobilisation Plan The wartime Minister of Labour and National Service… Read More

A Brief Overview of the Demob Suit

Introduction A demob suit was a suit of civilian clothes given to a man on his demobilisation from the British armed forces at the end of the Second World War. Although the suits were of good quality, the need to clothe millions of demobilising servicemen led to supply problems that caused some men to receive… Read More

Should the British Army Adopt Gender-Neutral Naming Conventions for its Ranks?

Calls have been made for the Army to review its ranking system, following on from steps both the Royal Air Force (RAF) and Royal Navy (RN) have made towards more inclusive language in recent years. Some army ranks/roles have no female or gender-neutral alternative, such as Guardsman, Kingsman and Craftsman. Last year, the RAF dropped… Read More