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Overview
In this iconic British poster, Britannia calls on able-bodied adults to serve in the war effort - in the armed forces, nursing, women's auxiliary units, home guard and fire brigade, etc.
At the outbreak of the Second World War on 3 September 1939, the National Service (Armed Forces) Act 1939 made it compulsory for men aged between 18 and 41 who lived in the United Kingdom to join the armed forces. It came into force on the same day that the United Kingdom declared war on Germany.
England expects
The title references the oft-quoted 'England expects that every man will do his duty' signal sent by Admiral Horatio Nelson prior to the Battle of Trafalgar on 21 October 1805. The significance of Nelson's victory and death during the battle created a long legacy for the phrase (it was also employed in First World War posters) and it is used here to emphasise that people are required to do their duty in the Second World War, as they were in 1805.