Grandad's service in the Grenadier Guards

[suds]

Hello
I have a query that is prompted by a posting on another part of Rootschat that has a similar situation.

My Grandad, George Hill, joined the Grenadier Guards in 1902. His attestation states that his service was for twelve years except if the country was at war then his service would last an extra year. So on his service record that all seems to happen.

But then on the 1911 census he is head of a household, a carter, living in Salford with his wife and two children.  So how would that come about?

His service record doesn’t indicate he was in the reserve. My oldest uncle was born at Caterham, presumably near the Guards depot. The second son was born in Salford.

Regards

Suds

[MaxD]

Can you confirm that his attestation paper (Amy Form B 267) was for "Long Service".  Would you like to quote his service number?

maxD

[jds1949]

I think that the usual terms of enlistment were for a number of years "active" service and then a number of years in the Army Reserve. The combinations varied over time, your man may well have signed up for 8 [active] + 4 [army reserve] - which would explain why he was in a civilian occupation in 1911, 9 years after his enlistment.

jds1949

[MaxD]

There was also Long Service 12 years with the colors (spelled that way) hence my question.

maxD

[suds]

Hello

Thanks for your responses.

Grandad was George Frederick Hill, Regimental Number 10439.

I have attached the first page of his attestation papers. Hopefully, it is still readable. I have had to reduce the clarity a lot to make it attachable.

It's Question 18 that leads me to believe that he signed on to serve 12 years with another 12 months if there was a war on. It seems from the picture that I posted earlier that's what happened. He was out 13 years to the day.

I don't know why he was in Salford for the 1911 census, a carter for a railway company.

Regards

Suds

[jds1949]

If you look at the top of the form it states that he signed on for 3 years + 9 years in the Reserves - so he would be in civilian occupation from 1905 onwards; then recalled on the outbreak of war to serve his additional year, before demob in 1915, 13 years after his initial enlistment.

jds1949

[suds]

jds1949

Aaah, I only had to read it and I didn't. Well spotted and many thanks.

I'm still a bit confused. He was from Worcestershire when he signed on so he didn't go back after three years in 1905, he stayed in the vicinity for a few years until he met Gran and married. I took it that the notification of his marriage and then the birth of his children on his record indicated that he was still serving. Which I guess he, sort of, was if he was in the reserve.

There is a photograph of his wedding (in 1909) and he's in full uniform. Would that be common practice for a reservist?

Again, many thanks for your advice

Suds

[jds1949]

I don't know if it would be common practice, but it might have been the best suit he had! Probably more glamourous than civilian clothes anyway.

jds1949

[suds]

Fair comment, thanks for your help

Regards

Suds