'National Service Acts, 1948 to 1955. Notice to men born between 1 July 1938 and 30 September 1938. Requirement to register at local offices of the Ministry of Labour and National Service on Saturday 17 November 1956'

Although Indian independence in 1947 meant that British units stationed there were now available for other duties, it actually reduced Britain's global military capability, as it no longer had the huge Indian Army at its disposal. To solve this manpower shortage and meet the new post-war challenges the decision was made in 1947 to extend wartime conscription into an obligatory period of National Service for men of military age.

This poster includes full details of exempted categories and has a strip of paper pasted on stressing the urgency of registering, this perhaps reflects the fact that November 1956 was the month of the Suez Crisis.