Coronation Street and National Service ?

[sarah_louise]

Most people of the age of Ken Barlow, Jack Duckworth, Norris Cole and Fred Elliot never stop talking about their "National Service" in the late fifties early sixties.
These 4 never mention it ?
How did they escape their 18 months in the Army ?

[marwel7]

Perhaps they just don't like talking about it.I can't imagine that Norris,in particular,would have happy memories of it.

[dot.hawkes]

Ken Barlow was only in his very early 20s when the show started and he was at Teacher training college I think. His younger brother David had just left school and I am sure he woprked as a greengrocer. May be abit wrong there

[Everhelpful]

Is Coronation Street real? I thought it was a Soap-Opera.!! My word,you live and learn.!!

[Philtaz]

I'm anything but a soap expert so can't comment on the others but I think you'll find Ken Barlow(William Roache) completed his National Service with my former regiment, The Royal Welch Fusiliers.

[galltin]

I think (but am by no means sure) you would have to be 66 or over now to have done NS.
Fred is talking of early retirement so that's him out . I don't think Norris is that old.
I think Jack may have mentioned it in the past and he does visit the British Legion.

[sarah_louise]

According to the character list DOB.
Ken is 9/10/39
Jack 1936
Norris 5/3/41
Fred not given

[anotheoldgit]

National Service was for 2 years, it was 18months when it was first introduced. If you where serving an Apprenticeship
or at College you were deferred until the age of 21. What part of the services do you think these characters would have served in.
Ken Barlow - Intelligence Corps.
Jack Duckworth - General Service Corps
Norris Cole - Army Postal Corps
Fred Elliott - Catering Corps