for ,history buffs.?

Question

why, was conscription NOT applied to n/ireland during ww2,? was it not british? also, how many of military age volunteered for active service?

Answer 1

Many Irish were so anti- British, it is said they sympathized with the Nazi's. The Republic of Ireland stayed neutral in WWII. It wouldn't surprise me if many from N.Ireland didn't do some border jumping to avoid conscription !

Answer 2

Why would the British Empire, that was constantly dealing with what they saw as traitorous behavior on the part of the Irish, further arm and train a people ungrateful and uncivilized?

I'm part Irish, part English, part a whole bunch of other things.

I'm not talking about reality (I love Ireland and it's people, and understand their view of the situation as well), but England's decision isn't that hard to understand, as much as it cost them. It could have been a time of healing and growth, for both England and Ireland, if they had been treated on an individual basis, rather than as "the Irish".

One must consider the events of the time. They had gone through two actual revolts in Ireland BEFORE WWII.

I don't know how many volunteered. I know that some did.

Answer 3

Only men from Northern Ireland were subject to Conscription. Sothern Ireland then, remained neutral. It was said that the IRA were refuelling German U boats off the coast of western ireland.

Answer 4

Although Ireland (Republic) remained neutral, per capita of population, more irish men fought for England in WWII Than any other Nation.
Their country might have stayed out of the conflict, but the people didn't.

Answer 5

my dad volunteered at the age of 17yrs.and served his time.

Answer 6

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXNbhh2R6uc