Fighting age in WW2

[Miranda]

Hi, I know nothing, or very little about the army.  I am researching a relative for a friend and I know he was in WW1 as I have found his medal roll card.  I also know that in the 1920's he was in India briefly, I only know this from a ships arrival document to the UK.  In 1939 he would have been about 51 years of age! He was in the RFA (Royal Field Artillery) as a Gunner in WW1.  Is there a possibility that he could have continued his army career?  He died in 1977.  Any help or info would be helpful as I cannot find any records for him for WW2 era.

[Hackstaple]

It is not very likely unless he had achieved some relatively senior rank or appointment. For non-commissioned regular soldiers the period of service fo ra  full pension was 22 years.

However, if he was a veteran in good health there were many positions during WWII - training, Home Guard, ARP, prison camp guards.

[Miranda]

Thankyou Hackstaple.  Good to  know.  I have managed to contact a couple of distant family relatives and have asked them if they know of any further information.  I have a defence medal and am trying to trace who it could have belonged to in this family! no luck so far.