More than 2 million men were conscripted to serve in Britain's armed forces during the period of National Service, which began after the Second World War and was phased out by 1963. Aged just 18, these individuals, many of whom had never left their hometowns before, were put in uniform to serve their nation and taken to some of the furthest reaches of Britain's crumbling empire. It was an experience that left a profound mark on the post-war generations. Using first-hand accounts and official documents, these remarkable times are described in this detailed, entertaining and hugely informative account of the National Service years.

Author Biography

Trevor Royle, historical consultant for the hit television series Lads Army, is a well-known author and broadcaster specializing in the history of war and empire. He has more than a score of books to his credit, including The Civil War, The Flowers of the Forest: Scotland and the First World War, and Crimea: The Great Crimean War 1854-1856 which received widespread acclaim on both sides of the Atlantic. Trevor is Diplomatic Editor of The Sunday Herald, and a regular commentator on defence matters and international affairs for the BBC. He lives in Edinburgh.