There were two attempts to introduce conscription to Northern Ireland.

In April 1939 increasing aggression in Europe led the British government to introduce conscription to Northern Ireland.

However, in May 1939 Northern Ireland was exempted from it.

The issue of conscription in Northern Ireland re-emerged after the Belfast Blitz in April and May 1941.

It was proposed by the British Labour Minister, Ernest Bevin, and supported by Churchill and Craig.

However, over 10,000 nationalists , supported by local Catholic bishops and nationalist politicians, marched in Belfast in protest against the proposal.

De Valera objected, stating it would be an ‘act of oppression’ to introduce conscription to Northern Ireland.

The RUC Inspector-General warned that conscription could lead to serious public disorder.

The strength of opposition meant that the Unionist Cabinet , after initially welcoming the idea, realised conscription would create too many problems.

It would have been embarrassing for the British and Northern Ireland governments to deal with mass refusal by nationalists to enlist, and Britain did not want to worsen relations with Éire.

On 27th May 1941 the British declared conscription would not be extended to Northern Ireland.

However, about 38,000 men and women in Northern Ireland volunteered for the armed forces.

This number was low compared with the rest of Britain because many people worked in reserved industries.

About 10% of the volunteers died in action.

Although Éire was neutral in the Second World War, 43,000 people from Éire joined the British armed services.

High unemployment and poverty in the south were the most common reasons people enlisted.