A
reserved occupation (also known as essential services) is an occupation
considered important enough to a country that those serving in such
occupations are exempt or forbidden from military service. In a total
war, such as the Second World War, where most fit men of military age
were conscripted into the armed forces, exceptions were given to those
who performed jobs vital to the country and the war effort which could
not be abandoned or performed by others. Not only were such people exempt
from being conscripted, they were often prohibited from enlisting on
their own initiative, and were required to remain in their posts. Examples
of reserved occupations include medical practitioners and police officers,
but what is or is not a reserved occupation will depend on war needs
and a country's particular circumstances.
Reserved
occupations in the UK in World War I
Badge
given to a steelworker in 1915 to show that he was in a reserved occupation,
and thus avoid receiving "white feathers" from women.
Some of the reserved occupations included clergymen, farmers, doctors,
teachers and certain industrial workers such as coal miners, dock workers
and train drivers and iron and steel workers. Young workers were not
immediately exempt, as, for example, a blacksmith would become exempt
at the age of 25, and an unmarried mining or textiles worker would become
exempt at the age of 30. Married men had a lower age before they became
exempt. By 1915, 1.5 million men were in reserved occupations and by
November 1918 this reached 2.5 million men.
Reserved
occupations in the UK in World War II
In 1938, a Schedule of Reserved Occupations was created with the goal
of exempting skilled workers from being conscripted into service. This
idea was drawn up because of lessons learned during World War I when
many skilled labourers were drawn into service, which created problems
where positions needed filling. Examples of reserved occupations in
the Second World War included coal mining, ship building, railway and
dockworkers, farmers, teachers, doctors and lighthouse keepers.[2] Not
all of these fields were immediately exempt from duty. For example,
a lighthouse keeper was exempt from being conscripted from the age of
18, whilst a trade union official was not exempt until he reached 30.
Married men in these occupations also had lower exemption ages. The
engineering sector had the most reserved occupations.
The
idea was constantly reviewed throughout the war, as women, again, began
to work more in industries such as munitions. This meant that men were
free to join other organisations such as the Special Constabulary, the
Home Guard or the ARP. It also allowed for men to join up and give them
responsibilities towards the war effort, as well as allowing for them
to be less stressed about not being able to directly be involved in
the action. Also, many pacifists and conscientious objectors worked
in reserved occupations as a compromise or to avoid call-up. Harper
Adams Agricultural College saw a huge demand for places during the Second
World War, as both agricultural students and farmers were exempt from
conscription.
In
the UK, coal mining was not a reserved occupation at the start of the
war, and there was a great shortage of coal miners. Consequently, starting
in December 1943, one in ten men conscripted was chosen at random to
work in the mines. These men became known as "Bevin Boys"
after the creator of the scheme, Ernest Bevin, the Minister of Labour
and National Service.
A
schedule of Reserved Occupations also existed in Canada during World
War II.
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