The outbreak of the Korean War in 1950 coupled with the Malayan Emergency and the Viet Minh uprising against the French in Vietnam, then known as Indo-China, appeared the threaten Australia. As recruiting for the Armed Forces was considered inadequate for our defence the Menzies Government, with bipartisan support introduced National Service for all 18 year men.
In the first scheme National Servicemen could serve in one of the three forces, though the majority served with the Army. All servicemen had to serve 176 standard recruiting training followed by five years in their respective reserves. The first call-up notices were issued on 12 April 1951 and the first National Servicemen for the RAAF started their service at Garbutt, Townsville in July, 1951.
The RAAF had about 23,500 in National Service Training Units and were allocated to Flights at major air bases around the country. Bases in Queensland included Garbutt, Toowoomba and Oakey and Amberley and Archerfield in Brisbane.
The Navy had 6862 National Servicemen train in Sydney, Flinders naval Depot in Victoria, Melbourne and Perth. Seas service was done on ships of the fleet.
The Army was allocated the largest number of men – about 198,000 – and formed ten National Service Training Battalions. The largest of these was based at Wacol 11 Battalion. 11th Battalion had 1500 trainees at peak time. Men were drawn from Queensland and Papua New Guinea with some trainees sent from northern rivers of New South Wales as needed.
The Australian Government in 2001 recognised the contribution of National Servicemen to Australia’s defence preparedness with the award of the 1951-1972 Medal and then in 2006 along with all other servicemen and women were awarded the Australian Defence Medal.
Despite the compulsory call-up most Nashos did their training, active and reserve duties well and honourably and most regarded it as a rewarding part of their lives.
2021 marked the 70th anniversary of the introduction of the scheme and the Queensland Branch of the National Servicemen’s Association marked the occasion by arranging for presentation of commemorative certificates to members of the association. The Stanthorpe Nashos had their certificates presented to them at their October meeting at the Stanthorpe RSL.
That National Servicemen’s Association of Australia was started in Toowoomba in by the late Barry Vicary in 1987 to seek a better deal for the Second National Service Scheme in the Vietnam era. The earlier intake became part of the Association and it grew to become the second largest ex-service association after the RSL. We have added a new word to the Australian vocabulary – Nasho. Nashos march as a unit on days like Anzac Day, Remembrance Day and commemorate National Service Day, 14 February. 14 February marks the last day the last Nasho completed his Army obligation.
