Grandfather's enlistment/conscription.

[Red Tom]

Can anyone enlighten me as to exactly how easy it would have been for a man to enlist using a name other than that given at birth,I mean,was it not a requirement to produce official documentation as proof of identity?

[MaxD]

While the attached is about soldiers joining up under age, I think it answers your question, particularly the bit about birth certs and the lack of them. http://www.bbc.co.uk/guides/zcvdhyc.

MaxD

[Red Tom]

Thank you MaxD,it does,as you say,answer the question I raised,however,I'm still no nearer to discovering my g.father's actual service history,but I appreciate your reply.

[KGarrad]

Please bear in mind that nearly two-thirds of all the WW1 Service Records were destroyed in a fire after a WW2 bombing raid.

If he served abroad, there should be a Medal Index Card (MIC)?
Other records are becoming available, too.

[MaxD]

Just linking with KGarrad's post - did you ask the question because you can't find him under his real name and you thought perhaps he may have joined under a different name?

As KG says, some elements of records survive and unless he is John Smith when it may be difficult, it may be possible to find a trace.  Would you like to post his (real) name and date/place of birth and anything else relevant, bearing in mind what KG says about the majority of detailed records.

MaxD 

[chirp]

I have an interesting example of this in my family. Two full brothers whose biological father (Mr M) had died. One brother was brought up by his maternal grandmother and her second husband, Mr E  (he was unofficially given the step grandfather's surname). The other brother was brought up by the biological mother and her second husband Mr A (he took the step father's name). The boys attended school and grew up with different surnames. In 1914 they enlisted both using their "acquired" names. Later the older one was told he could "claim" his younger brother so they might serve together. Of course that was when the name difference came to light. It was decided they could only serve together if they used their correct surname so they both reverted to that name from that point onwards. I was told that it was only on their wedding day that my grandmother was informed that she would be Mrs M and not Mrs E. I am not sure that part could be true - what about the banns? Certainly though throughout their courtship my grandfather was E and not M. This does not answer the original question and I too would be interested to know if there was a requirement to produce official documentation. I guess there would be a great many who did not have such a thing. So far I too have not been able to find my grandfather's records under either of his names.

[MaxD]

The answer is in the piece I cited.  Although there may have officially been a requirement for people to prove their identity/age, in innumerable cases the recruiters didn't ask for any proof and while it was sometimes discovered it didn't always happen.  One must remember the sheer numbers involved, the lack of universal documentation compared to today and the pressure to get the numbers into the service.
Not finding any record is - see KGarrad's post.  Medal cards probably exist in his name but they have no personal info so always a long shot.
MaxD

[Red Tom]

I had a reply earlier,but managed to screw it up as I'm forced to use this idiotic postage stamp sized tablet thing, I'll wait till I have access to my laptop later on and post the relevant info, thank you all for your help so far.

[chirp]

Thank you MaxD. My thoughts exactly re the sheer numbers involved.