5 APRIL 1949 – ON THIS DAY IN RWF HISTORY

First National Serviceman joined, 1949

In 1948 the National Service Act was passed which required that from 1 January 1949 every healthy male aged 17-21 was expected to serve in the armed forces for eighteen months. This was extended to two years in 1950 as a result of the Korean War. The
first twenty-five joined the 1st Battalion on 5 April. National Service ended on 31 December 1960 and the last National Serviceman was discharged in May 1963.