The Military Service Act 1916: 100 Years

Conscription was introduced in Britain during the First World War in January 1916. The Military Service Act 1916 imposed conscription on all single men aged between 18 and 41 who were not eligible for exemption. The Act was modified by subsequent legislation throughout the First World War, and conscription continued until 1920. However, compulsory military service was reintroduced in May 1939, prior to the Second World War, and was imposed on all single men aged between 20 and 21. The male age limit for military service was raised throughout the Second World War, and in 1941 Parliament passed legislation which made provision for the conscription of women.