A Civilian in Uniform - Ray Skinner

The end of National Service in 1960 was generally greeted with approval by many both in the Army and the civilian population. Often servicemen had, at least in retrospect, enjoyed their time in the Army, as it enabled them to come into contact with various strata within society but others like myself, resented the interruption to their lives and the military discipline, or "bull" as it was often referred to. While Regulars had found the endless training of conscripts tedious and had often been hard pressed to keep them gainfully employed, most National Serviceman had fought alongside their Regular counterparts inMalaya, Korea, Cyprus, and Kenya and proved themselves just as good soldiers as the regulars. ...when they put their mind to it. They also provided a large pool of reservists on which the Army could rely in time of war, having only to carry out a limited period of training with the T.A. each year for three years after they had left the Colours. I was one of the many conscripted for national Service and this is my story.