such as the Special Constabulary, the Home Guard or the ARP. It also allowed for men to join up and give them responsibilities towards the war effort, as well as allowing for them to be less stressed about not being able to directly be involved in the action. Also, many pacifists and conscientious objectors worked in reserved occupations as a compromise or to avoid call-up. Harper Adams Agricultural College saw a huge demand for places during the Second World War, as both agricultural students and farmers were exempt from conscription, as were students. In the UK, coal mining was not a reserved occupation at the start of the war, and there was a great shortage of coal miners. Consequently, starting in December 1943, one in ten men conscripted was chosen at random to work in the mines. These men became known as "Bevin Boys" after the creator of the scheme, Ernest Bevin, the Minister of Labour and National Service. A schedule of Reserved Occupations also existed in Canada during World War II. See also list: A list of artists and media workers exempted from conscription into the for their importance to the propaganda system Munitions of War Act 1915: A precursor to the reserved occupation list, where no worker could leave his employment without the consent of his employer. Confederate Conscription Acts 1862–1864: Measures passed by the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War Twenty Negro Law: A reaction to Lincoln's preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, passed as part of the CSA's Second Conscription Act in 1862 Selective Service Act of 1917 and Selective Training and Service Act of 1940: United States legislation, which also included exempted professions Notes External links Schedule of Reserved Occupations (1939) (UK legislation) Conscription Occupations