Restrictions on Age?

[mlmcholm]

Hi. I am looking for any information regarding age of soldiers in WW2. My query relates to James Wallace Kay born 1887, who appears to be absent from the 1939 Register. He was a decorated soldier in WW1, having received the Military Medal, and according to his pension records, was transferred to a Reserve battalion of the Manchester Regiment in 1920. Would he be too old to go to war? He originally enlisted in 1903. Many thanks as always.

[MaxD]

He was certainly above the conscription age, 41 then 51 later, but I have seen many examples of such men volunteering to serve and being taken, often those with a particular skill like REs and so on.

You could take a punt on applying for his possible records, you don't need a service number or regiment. https://www.gov.uk/get-copy-military-service-records/apply-for-someone-elses-records

MaxD

[mlmcholm]

Thanks MaxD. Would his original service number be relevant?

[MaxD]

Indeed yes, so many don't have the number and the  applications intro page suggests that they need to have it although the details form says one or the other it has become automatic reaction just to say it isn't mandatory!

MaxD