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From: "E.J. Langford" <>
Subject: Re: [AUS-MIL] some recollections re: Conscription circa 1958
Date: Thu, 25 May 2006 17:34:59 +0930
References: <8C84D03FE5D943A-12E8-25F7@FWM-D45.sysops.aol.com> <00c501c67ef1$8cdd76a0$0100000a@DD4KCF1S>


Hi Jenny,

I've tried to recall a bit from those times because I'm of your father's
vintage. I offer these comments as basis on which other listers can correct
and amend as and where they know more.

It wasn't known as 'conscription', and if I remember correctly, the word
wasn't mentioned.

The National Service Act 1951 brought in 'compulsory military training' in
all three arms of the forces. As from 17 March 1951 all men had to register
at age 19 for that training. The army was relatively short term away in
camp, (11 weeks?) followed with obligatory fortnight annually in local CMF
unit for two years. Navy and Air Force was longer period (6 months?) of
training in a single time block, with, I think, only one annual intake. The
navy and air force training was only at a small number of locations (one
each? ) whereas army used a number of camps and intakes each year. Overall,
the committment in time for a trainee was same for all services but army
training was spread over the short initial block and the balance part time
over two years. But those who elected or chose to train in navy and air
force additionally had to volunteer for overseas service if the need ever
arose. For those, their registration and agreement to the extra conditions
had to be countersigned by a parent or alternatively witnessed by a JP that
the registrant knew what he was doing. And in so volunteering you were tied
to that deal for a number of years.

Each intake was given a number eg No.-- NSTU (National Service Training
Unit). A friend has just told me his was Air Force No.5 NSTU in 1955.

From 1 May 1957 measures were put in place to reduce the number of trainees
although registration was still compulsory. Navy and air force training was
discontinued, the medical standards were tightened (informally?) and a
ballot system based on birthdate introduced to select those for training.

From 26 November 1959 the scheme was 'suspended'. From 30 June 1960 it was
discontinued.

Overall the scheme wasn't seen by most in the age group of trainees as
particularly onerous. Those with prior training in school cadets thought
they had a good introduction. There was a degree of choice available within
the system and many were able to defer the actual training camps for a
number of reasons. Students for example, and those with family or 'carer'
(to use a word in its modern meaning) responsibilities or special work
committments were readily granted deferment. Not sure whether apprentices
had a special arrangement. People of the parents generation were those that
had concerns - didn't want to go through '39-'45 experience again, could see
Government extending it etc. etc. On the last point they were right. A
re-introduction of the scheme was announced 10 November 1964 and we know
where that took us. From July 1965 20 year olds (note the older age) had to
register for a ballot for longer full time training period of two years.

I haven't tried to get records but think I saw a heading on NAA site.

I'd be interested to know if my notes are accurate, and what others'
experiences were and if you do find records.

John

----- Original Message -----
From: "Mike Boyd" <>
To: <>
Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2006 2:48 PM
Subject: Re: [AUS-MIL] Conscription circa 1958


> Jenny
> That was the old CMF progrgam of the 1950's. I think all young men at 21
> years of age where called up.
>
> You may need to talk to the Army reserve Unit that is nearest to where
> yourt father was living in the 1950's. He would have a FILE and we on the
> Roll or Pay books for that Unit.
>
> During the 1950's my late father used to go every Tuesday night on the
> Tweed River and it is was aa part of life. When we got older my sister
> and Iwould help my mother make the tea for after the parade.
>
> You may need to write to the Army Records people in Canberra to see if you
> can get his file. I would expect that his file is still with the Defence
> Department because of the 75 year rule with Archives.
>
> Mike Boyd
> Brisbane
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <>
> To: <>
> Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2006 2:45 PM
> Subject: [AUS-MIL] Conscription circa 1958
>
>
>> Hello folks,
>>
>> Can anyone give me some leads on conscription in the late 1950s?
>> My father said he was conscripted as a young man but policies changed
>> before he actually signed up. He was born in 1938 so I'm thinking it must
>> have been around when he was 20 as my mother was married to him by 1960
>> and knows nothing of this part of his life.
>>
>> I realise that records may not exist but can anyone enlighten me a little
>> further? I've looked at the AWM site and NAA but would like some advice
>> on how to narrow the search.
>>
>> Jenny


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