UK WW3 conscription would call up people from this age bracket first

Former Army chief Lord Dannatt said that, if the UK reintroduced conscription, people aged 18 to 24 would probably be called up after reservists and former service personnel. The comments come amid heightened concern about international tensions, although the Government says it has no plans to bring conscription back and is focused on a professional volunteer force.

Emeritus professor Anthony Glees said a full mobilisation could follow the Second World War model, which eventually required men aged 18 to 51 and some women to undertake national service. The UK’s two periods of conscription ran from 1916 to 1920 and 1939 to 1960. A survey of more than 4,600 people found that 22% of 16 to 34-year-olds considered Armed Forces service highly important in a time of need, compared with 45% of those aged 55 and over.