Older Brits aged up to 65 could be called up to fight in World War Three after military rules were changed. Ordinary civilians born between 1961 and 1971 could now be called up for m andatory military service after the UK Government extended the upper age limit earlier this year. Single men aged between 20 and 22 were conscripted in 1939, six months before the war properly kicked off. Around 240,000 were mandatorily inducted into the army for a minimum of six months under the Military Training Act.
After the war kicked off the age range was broadened to men between 18 and 41 and by 1942, men as old as 60 were called to serve. Now a retired army chief has warned more people than first thought could be called in to defend us. Retired army chief Lord Dannatt says there would be a particular method of enlisting people to defend the country, suggesting a contingency plan is already in place. He believes Britain would initially turn to army reservists, recalled former service personnel and younger adults, should the Government be forced to act due to a major conflict, before considering the wider population.
Compulsory military service is not currently being contemplated, but this could change should tensions continue to escalate and ultimately boil over. He said: "I would expect to see the Army Reserve mobilised first, then Regular Reservists recalled to active service, and then His Majesty's Government would need to consider conscription, starting with 18-24-year-olds. "Britain would not necessarily begin by compelling civilians with no military experience to join the armed forces .
"Reservists and former service personnel would provide an initial pool of people with military training, although recalling them at scale would present substantial logistical challenges."
The Daily Star tells readers that ordinary civilians up to 65 could now be conscripted for mandatory service after a rule change. The Mirror reports that the change raised the age limit for the Army Reserves, and the Star itself says compulsory service is not being contemplated, while Lord Dannatt says any conscription would start with 18 to 24 year olds. The Star also presents one retired officer's expectation as a sign that a contingency plan already exists.
Makes a false claim
Severe
“Ordinary civilians born between 1961 and 1971 could now be called up”
Why this matters
The Daily Star states as fact that ordinary civilians born between 1961 and 1971 can now be conscripted into mandatory service because the Government raised an age limit.
The impression it gives
That the law now allows the state to force any civilian up to 65 into military service.
The context
The Mirror reports that the extension applied to the Army Reserves, raised from 55 to 65. The article itself says compulsory military service is not being contemplated, and its only source says civilians without military experience would not be called first.
The upper age limit for the Army Reserves was raised from 55 to 65 earlier this year. Conscription is not being considered, and Lord Dannatt says that if it ever were, it would start with 18 to 24 year olds.
Presents an opinion as an existing plan
Minor
“suggesting a contingency plan is already in place”
Why this matters
The Daily Star turns Dannatt's view of what he would expect to happen into a hint that a government contingency plan already exists.
The impression it gives
That the Government has a call-up plan ready.
The context
Dannatt is retired and is quoted giving his own expectation. Nothing in the article shows any plan exists.
How we know
Elsewhere in the article“I would expect to see”
Elsewhere in the article“He believes Britain would initially turn”