RootsChat.Com
General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: carolelmsmith on Wednesday 08 August 18 18:36 BST (UK)
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Hi, my grandfather was born in Feb 1883, and joined up in May 1899 citing his age as 17 years and 2 months (really 16 years 3 months). I was given to understand that he was in the Boer War, but have found that he was in the medical corps and his record indicates desertion on 1 Jan 1900. I know that he saw some difficult things whilst in service, and have wondered if he actually deserted or whether this was a 'record' of his not being old enough to join up. My family always spoke of his lying about his age to join up, then being discharged with valvular disease of the heart, before rejoining some years later under a slightly different name, (looks like 1905), when I understand he served in Ireland in the cavalry. Are there any sources that I can check for the Ireland service, (to find out when he left), or to get more information about whether he actually served in South Africa and whether this was a true desertion? Any help much appreciated.
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Can you give us a few more details: name, where he was born, etc?
Cati
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As Cati suggests, post his details.
Meanwhile, have you found him on the anglo boer war site (you said you were "given to understand").
https://www.angloboerwar.com/ go to name search.
Do you have access to Ancestry and//or Findmypast or any other genealogical sites and have you looked there?
The age thing isn't really significant, boys often lied about their age and the system wasn't over keen on checking. In any event, at that time one could serve from 14.
MaxD