COMBER or COOMBER - Edward in Australia

[Megatill]

Hi, Everyone!

One of my 2GGrandfathers died as Edward COMBER in Armidale, NSW on 31 July 1900.

Anecdotal evidence shows him born 1820 in Spitalfields, and alternatively, 1816 in either Ireland or Dorset!

Other anecdotal evidence reports him as being enlisted in the British Army, and thought to have been in the 50th Regiment of Foot (then the "Queen's Own" and subsequently the "Royal West Kent" Regiment).

My main question for this forum is - "how young would the British Army accept as enlistees?".

In order to fit Army enlistment into the data I currently have, Edward would have had to have been, at the youngest, 10 years old. It would be more appropriate for him to have been 18 years old or so. The 50th was in Australia in 1837 to 1841 (so if he was born 1820, he would have been 17) and no doubt he would have been one of those soldiers shipped to NSW as Convict Guards.

However, if Edward enlisted in Britain or Ireland, how young would he have been allowed to be in order to enlist?

Of course, if anyone in this forum has an Edward Comber (or Coomber) in their tree who married in Sydney in 1851 an Elizabeth Mackey b1831, I'd love to connect!!!

Thanks, in advance!!!

Megan in Sydney

[Jamjar]

My main question for this forum is - "how young would the British Army accept as enlistees?".


Although someone on this forum may be able to answer this question, I would have posted it on the 'Armed Forces' board, where the military experts gather.

Jamjar

[Jamjar]

... who married in Sydney in 1851 an Elizabeth Mackey

One of my 2GGrandfathers died as Edward COMBER in Armidale, NSW on 31 July 1900.

What information is provided on the two certificates?

Jamjar

[wivenhoe]

Using BDM NSW Index - I am not seeing this record. Can you identify it please?


"...Edward Comber (or Coomber)........ who married in Sydney in 1851 an Elizabeth Mackey b1831, I'd love to connect!!!"

[Jamjar]

This could be it Wivenhoe:

351/1853 V1853351 99 COOMBES Edward to MCKYE Elizabeth VA

Jamjar

[Jamjar]

Megan do you have any of their childrens' birth or death certs, which should give the place of birth and age of father?

Jamjar

[Megatill]

My main question for this forum is - "how young would the British Army accept as enlistees?".


Although someone on this forum may be able to answer this question, I would have posted it on the 'Armed Forces' board, where the military experts gather.

Jamjar

Hi, Jamjar - I had a look on the "Armed Forces" board, and the most recent posting appeared to be in 2014.

Also, as I was also asking in a round-about way about Edward Comber,  I thought a more general post would suffice.

Sorry if I thought incorrectly!!!!

[Aussie1947]

Baptisms

GS Film 993964 and 993966

Elizabeth Coomber.
born: 20th May 1853
Bapt: 24th June 1853
St Thomas, Mulgoa, NSW.
F: Edward Coomber.
M: Elizabeth.

James Coomber.
born: 8th Feb 1855.
Bapt: 4th March 1855.
St Thomas, Mulgoa, NSW.
F: Edward Coomber.
M: Elizabeth.

Gerry

[Aussie1947]

Hi,

Might be of interest, note a David Comber.

http://freepages.history.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~garter1/surnames50th.htm

Gerry