'Z' call up

Does anyone know of something called 'Z' call up please? My Mum said my Dad was 'called up' for 2 weeks in 1952 (stationed somewhere in England) and she said this is what it was called.

Di,

I think this must refer to Class Z Reserves - I can't remember the criteria for being Class Z, but will endeavour to find out

Nick

Have a look at this link to questions in Parliament about the Z Reserve and in particular the ages of some being called up

http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1952/may/20/class-z-reserve

Di,

I've just checked my father's Service Records and it states that he was:

RELEASED TO CLASS Z(T),
Royal Army Reserve
16 9 47
(Class 'A' Release)
Taken on Strength
CLASS Z (T) Reserve
17 9 47

hope this helps,
Nick

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 22/11/2008 13:46:26

It was explained to me when I left the services that at the end of their engagement discharged servicemen with a reserve liability are placed into X, Y or Z catagories.

The prefix letter signifies the ability of the individual for employment in their previous role. The prefix is changed at preset intervals until the age of 50 when it changes to Z and remains so until 55 which is when normal reserve liabilty ends.

During any Transition To War (TTW) the call up of reservists is based on these prefix designators.

X = Can be employed in previous role immediately or with minimal training.

Y = Will require training to fill previous role, limited capability.

Z = Recalled to home service only may be employed on Keypoint guarding and protection of critical national infrastructure such as ports, power stations etc.

I am currently in the Z rating and have already received my letter removing me from 'normal' reserve liabilty activation.

Up to the mid eighties there would be an annual exercise which involved the activation of large numbers of reservists and HMS Drake in Plymouth would be full of ex servicement struggling to fit into uniforms that had shrunk in the loft! as has mine!

Thanks to all for their responses. Much clearer now.

Regards

Di

Hi there,

To add to what Stephen said, I can remember how ex national Servicemen were paranoid about being recalled to the colours during the late 1950's and early 1960's, especially as the cold war did look as if become 'hot' at any time.

I imagine, like Stephen's comments, there must have been a lot of breathing in to get uniforms to fit.

Also I had a governor at one time who had been the ex Chief Engineer from HMS Dreadnought (HM Sub) and he always went away each year for his 'annual camp' he called that his Z holiday.

Nice to make contact, Cheers, Roy.