On this day - 27 January

On January 27th 1916 the Military Service Act 1916 was passed which allowed for conscription of men aged 18 to 41 in the UK. There were exceptions to the rule for those in specific positions such as widowed men with children, religious ministers or those already in the Navy. Initially married men were exempt under these exceptions, but this was altered in May 1916. In 1918 the upper age limit was raised from 41 to 51.

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