Speaker Mike Queen

Report on meeting Friday 23rd September

President Alan Rankin welcomed members to the meeting and reminded them of the forthcoming events, namely the Jazz Cruise, trip to the Playhouse to see Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang and the Coffee Morning in aid of MacMillan Cancer to be held in the Smith Museum on Friday 30th September.
Speaker for the day was member Michael Queen who spoke on the subject of National Conscription, which was started in 1939, when men aged 20 and 21 were called up to do six months military training. This developed to all men aged between 18 and 41 with the outbreak of the Second World War.
By the end of 1939 over one and a half million men had been recruited into the Armed Forces -  the majority of which joined the British Army.
The easiest way to avoid conscription was to ignore the summons to register for National Service. As a result of the shortage of people to enforce attendance, this method of the joining of the armed forces was highly effective.
Desertion from the armed forces was a common problem. At one stage in the war, there were over 24,500 men wanted for desertion. At the end of 1941, the government ordered a "round-up" of deserters. When police raided a Plymouth funfair, they discovered that almost two-thirds of adult males checked, did not have identity cards. However, before the men could be arrested, someone let off a smoke bomb and they all escaped.
Michael gave a full insight into the training, their kit, accommodation and pay and lives of those who had to face National Service and finished his talk by telling members of his own experiences.
In January '53 he received his posting to report to the Royal Sussex Depot in Chichester, Sussex.  A week or so later, he was posted as a Potential Leader to Wemys Barracks in Canterbury in Kent for eight weeks basic training.
During this period he attended a War Office Selection Board and was selected to attend the Officer Cadet School at Eaton Hall near Chester.
After 14 weeks he was commissioned as a National Service Officer in the 1st Bn. Royal Sussex Regiment and posted to Minden in West Germany.
He was put in charge of the Assault Pioneer Platoon (the engineers of an Infantry battalion) and spent his time attending courses, training the men in Minefield Laying and Clearance, Bridge Building, Booby Trap setting, Route Marches and generally getting ready for Korea.
In his final month in the Army he was posted to Epsom in Surrey where he undertook a course in defence against the Atom bomb.
From his point of view, he really enjoyed his National Service and can only say it was a good experience. He learned to live with his fellow man and profited as a better person for it. He didn’t think it did him any harm and he would support its re-introduction. It would give modern youth a taste of discipline and detract from today’s selfish culture.
The vote of thanks was given by Martin Ross and members applauded the efforts that Mike had put into preparing his talk.
Next week's Speakers Host is John Rankin, and Visitors Host is Michael Queen.