Conrad Bryant

The Last National Service Man Conrad Bryant

National service was not voluntary for men in the UK in 1958. All men over eighteen who were medically fit and not in a restricted occupation were 'called up' as it was termed for two years. You had no choice unless you liked prison that is. Similarly you had no choice of which service you went into either. I cannot for instance think why I would have chosen the RAF. No relative of mine had served in the RAF, and I had never been in an aeroplane. I actually started my national service on the second of December 1958 and actually finished my service in January 1962. So on the second of December I became 5065237 A. C. U. T. Bryant. Or Bryant 237 for short. I was no longer a person with a first name or even the title Mr. While technically I suppose I was not actually the very last national service man called up, I was in one of the last batches. The following is a personal view of my service looked at from a light-hearted, non-military viewpoint. I hope you enjoy it.