The 1917 Military Service Act

The 1917 Military Service Act was a law enacted in the United Kingdom during World War I to address the need for more soldiers. It introduced conscription, meaning that unmarried men aged 18 to 41 could be compelled to join the military. This was a response to declining volunteer numbers as the war continued. The Act aimed to ensure that the military had enough personnel to fight effectively. Some exemptions were allowed, such as for certain professions, but it marked a significant shift in how the UK mobilized its population for war.