British conscription rules explained with full list of 5 groups most likely to serve first | UK | News
One of the most important questions asked by nations in 2026 is: Will there be a world war? Tensions rose sharply on January 8, when the Kremlin launched a massive drone and missile bombardment that included the second use of the nuclear-capable Oreshnik hypersonic missile in combat. The attack, which targeted the western city of Lviv, just 70 km from the Polish border, served as a chilling strategic message to the West. The escalation comes after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer signed a landmark agreement to deploy British troops to Ukraine in the event of a peace deal with Russia.
While General Sir Patrick Sanders and other senior military figures warn that Europe must prepare for an intense conflict with Putin’s forces, one question remains unanswered: In the event of a third world war, who will actually fight it? Former MP and ex-British Army officer Dr Mike Martin has warned that available army numbers are so diminished that conscription may be the only solution.
So who is more likely to be drafted?
1. Young, fit men
In the event of a major conflict, history shows that the first recruits will be young, physically healthy men, especially men in the 18-25 age group. This group has traditionally been prioritized because they can be trained most quickly and have the capacity to serve throughout a long-term conflict.
A precedent for this was set in early 1939, when the British government introduced limited conscription for single males aged 21 and 22 months before the start of the Second World War. Once full-scale war was declared, these rules were immediately extended to all men between the ages of 18 and 41.
2. Single people without children
Beyond age and eligibility, family status has historically been the primary factor in determining who will be sent to the front lines. During the Second World War, the British government implemented a phased approach to conscription, deliberately enlisting singles and childless first to avoid disrupting families.
3. Women
Unlike historical precedents, women are increasingly likely to face compulsory military service in any future large-scale conflict. In World War II, women ages 20-30 were drafted into the military for combat-related roles such as nursing, ordnance, and auxiliary positions. Although the United Kingdom has never officially recruited women directly for front-line combat, the barrier between auxiliary and combat roles has largely disappeared in the 21st century. Additionally, a YouGov poll from 2024 found that 72% of Brits supported women on the front line.
4. Veterans and reservists
Veterans and reservists will also likely be drafted, as they already have the training necessary to advance quickly.
5. If the war drags on, the elderly
If the war continues, elderly people may also be drafted into the army. At the end of World War II, people up to the age of 51 were drafted into the military. People aged between 52 and 60 also had to take part in civil defense, and no one could completely escape their responsibilities.
