Complex sentence: Before the Second World War, Guards recruits were required to be at least 5 feet 10 inches tall, they initially enlisted for seven years with the colours and a further five years with the reserve or four years and eight years.
Split into simpler sentences: Before the Second World War, Guards recruits were required to be at least 5 feet 10 inches tall. They initially enlisted for seven years with the colours and a further five years with the reserve or four years and eight years.