Why conscripts will go bare-chested to the Cenotaph

13/04/2010

Your article on searching for the last National Service Conscripts to lead a column at the Remembrance Parade at the London Cenotaph opens a raw wound.

 

The persons selected will stand out from the crowd by being BARE CHESTED.
Many conscripts from decades earlier, unable to flat feet or some other minor ailment, were sent abroad and many suffered being shot at and subject to disease. Some were in recognised war zones, and thus were entitled to Campaign medals, no matter how far they were from any dangerous activity.

 

Others received nothing in recognition for their service and obligatory training periods each year on the reserve.

 

The Ministry declined to institute a medal in recognition for service by conscripts, as being unfair on the possible adjacent person (who had signed on for a fixed term of years to obtain a period of adventure without an obligatory active time on the reserve).

 

What the ministry carefully overlooked was that the conscripts received less pay for doing the same job (and subject to N.H. deductions).

 

My colleagues serving abroad had to undergo a months quarantine before, at an uncertain date, returning to the UK.

 

I will leave you to ponder what a hindrance this was in obtaining employment and/or further education.

 

The associations mentioned in your article may care to try again to obtain a medal for conscripts.

 

John Hosking London NW6