As the second World War loomed, most countries in Europe already had a military service in place, unfortunately Britain did not. There had been conscription during the 1914-18 war but that had ended in 1919. In 1937, two years before the war there were around 200,000 soldiers in the British armed forces; these were men who had chosen to make the military their career. In 1938, the Defence act was passed. It was hoped by calling upon those who were already reservists, and also by requesting volunteers for military duty, there would be enough trained soldiers. Although around half a million people volunteered to join the A,R.P. (Air Raid Protection), the R.A.F. and the T.A. (Territorial Army). the country needed many more full time soldiers. In April 1939, as the need to trained soldiers became urgent, the goverment passed the military Training Act. This Act rquired that all men between 20 and 21, who had passed a medical examination should have 6 months military training. By September 1939, as war broke out, Britain still only had 875,000 men in the services. The government then passed the Armed Forces Act (The National Service Act). This Act required that all men between the ages of 18 and 41 were required to be available to be "called up" at any time. Men in "reserved occupations" were exempt. Within one month, men ages between 20 and 23 were called to join the army, the air force or the navy. They were able to choose which force to join. Single men were called up by age group. As time went on, more men were called up by age group. By June 1941, men aged 40 had received their calling up papers. Some men working in areas that were crucial to the welfare of Britain were exempt from conscription. These included farm workers, merchant seamen, utility workers and scientists. In Kirby Muxloe. many men worked in the local collieries, on the railway sidings at Desford or were farmers. Some of these chose to stay in their "reservist" jobs but others decided to join the forces. In December 1941, the National Service Act was passed and women received their "calling up" papers. Initially, widows without children and single women between the ages of 20 and 30 were called up. Later, the age limit changed and women between 19 and 43 were included. Generally women were able to choose in which area they would like to work. They usually worked in industry (munitions), the Armed Forces or the Land Army. Older women often joined the W.R.V.S. (Women's Royal Voluntary Services). These ladies played a crucial role in obtaining food and clothing for refugees. They also supported the emergency services and collected raw materials required for the war effort, such as kitchen utencils and aluminium saucepans. Later the items were to include the iron railings taken from the front of private houses. The W.V.S. still exists today and is, as always, a voluntary organisation and now named the W. R.V.S.