I have just checked my Dad's enlistment papers and, although it was for the Army, under 'Instructions to Recruiting Officer' Note 3 says: "If the trade shown is asterisked - man may be enlisted for general service in the Army, even though he cannot be employed as a tradesman". Tim
Not much call for grate builders in the RN then. Again thanks for providing another piece of the jigsaw.
I know the O/P has a copy of this, but for the benefit of others. From 'Training the Wartime Royal Navy' by Brian Lavery: "In 1941 nearly 400,000 men applied to join the Navy. Of these, 137,860 were selected by the recruiters. Out of that number 4,449 joined on normal engagements and 40,812 as volunteers for Hostilities Only. The rest, 92,599 were recruited by means of conscription and chose the Navy in preference to other services. Soon the volunteer route would begin to narrow. It was only open to those who were not within the current age ranges for conscription." Tim