Celebrating Veterans of National Service in Wales

Wales and National Service (1947-63)

Unique event being held in the National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth

11^th June 2026, 10.30-3.00pm

In response to the current international uncertainty in the Middle East and Ukraine and likely threats to the UK security, calls are now being made for a return to compulsory conscription, to “National Service”.  It would also be true to say that not many members of the public will be aware of what “National Service” would mean.

Yet if we take a relatively short step back in history to 1947-1963, we will find that compulsory conscription, “National Service”, played an important part in everyday life within communities throughout Wales, impacting upon families, relationships, even job prospects. The use of the term “National Service” was common parlance during this period, and everybody knew exactly what “National Service” meant because it has a direct bearing upon their lives.

Doing “National Service” meant that young men of 18yrs old, sometimes a little older if they were undertaking apprenticeships or higher education, were ‘called up’ for military service with most serving a two-year period before being demobbed and returning to civilian life. Their compulsory service in the Armed Forces often led them to travelling across the world and participating in dangerous wars and conflicts.

Early last year Age Cymru Dyfed sought to save the stories and experiences of former National Servicemen, living in the Dyfed and Powys region, before they were lost forever. The charity applied to The Heritage Lottery Fund for funding to undertake a one year bilingual project, to uncover and document the unspoken word from National Service Veterans. The Heritage Lottery Fund agreed with the concept of saving this important heritage and funded Age Cymru Dyfed to undertake the work.

The project began in July 2025 and culminates this month at an event in Aberystwyth.

 Now in their late 80’s and 90’s many of those conscripted into the military well over 60 years ago have been invited to the National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth, on Thursday 11^th June to celebrate their service, and also to share memories with each other. They will also watch and listen to interviews with National Service veterans filmed by Age Cymru Dyfed. This collection of films, audio clips and narratives can be found on the West Wales Veterans Archive, held on People’s Collection Wales.

Over the course of interviewing participants, Age Cymru Dyfed’s Field Officers have uncovered stories of hand-hand fighting in the trenches in Korea, living and working in the drenched conditions of hot and humid Malaya, conflict with EOKA terrorists in Cyprus long before it became the holiday destination we know today, being human guinea pigs in the H-Bomb tests on Christmas Island. There are more stories of service in Kenya, Malta and Aden. Closer to home one Veterans shared his story of administering vaccinations to the public during the south Wales smallpox epidemic of January 1962. Others served in Germany, Singapore, Hong Kong and many other places.  All these veterans have unique stories to tell, but it needs always to be remembered that sadly some of their National Service friends never made it home.

The interview collection also comprises a strong intergenerational component.  People’s Collection Wales and Age Cymru Dyfed are currently developing a digital training materials for schools throughout Wales to learn about National Service. The tool includes a unique interview with a National Service Veteran, Mr Norman Kenney of Aberystwyth, which was recently carried out by 13yr old Lyra Morgan, a pupil at Penweddig School, Aberystwyth.

This remarkable historical event will also include the exciting launch of “The Lt Col David Mathias DL Collection of Interviews with Veterans of the Great War”. Lt Col Mathias will give a short talk about his interviews with veterans of WW1 during the 1980’s, with his collection now also being held on Age Cymru Dyfed’s West Wales Veterans Archive, People’s Collection Wales.

Attendees and speakers at the event include: The Air Officer Wales Air Commodore Rob Woods OBE DL, Col Sion Walker OBE DL Deputy Commander 160 Brigade, The Lord Lieutenant of Dyfed Miss Sara Edwards, Dr Owain Rhys Roberts Deputy CEO and Librarian National Library of Wales, Peter Hamilton Chair Age Cymru Dyfed, The National Lottery Heritage Fund.