1902 Statement of Service query

[vapcq45]

Hi - on the attached for John Davis b 1884 in Forton, Portsmouth, I can see he enlisted in the Militia, into the 3rd Bn Hampshire Regiment on the 14 Feb 1902.  He was a Baker by trade.

What does attached mean?  Was he transferred and where would be the best place to find out more about his career?

He did end up on the Titanic, sadly, as Extra 2nd Baker - trying to work out how he went from Militia to Titanic.

Thanks for any help you can give.

[ShaunJ]

His militia service terminated when he joined the Army Service Corps. I think this is his ASC file:
https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=GBM%2FWO363-4%2F007292074%2F00342&parentid=GBM%2FWO363-4%2F7292074%2F23%2F342

[vapcq45]

This is most definitely him.  Fantastic!  Thank you very much indeed.

This adds so much more to his story!

One last question - can you see or where might I find why he left (or was discharged) from the Army?

Trying to work out how he ended up on the Titanic.  It does seem to me he would much rather have been a Baker and there may have been expectations at home as his father and 2 brothers were in the Royal Marines.

[ShaunJ]

It looks like he was transferred to the Reserve in 1905, and sometime around 1907/8 failed to turn up for training when required. The record seems to fizzle out without a definite discharge date.

[vapcq45]

Thank you Shaun. I did wonder after all his misdemeanors.

Would he have been a deserter?  Would he have been arrested if caught?

[ShaunJ]

Would he have been a deserter?  Would he have been arrested if caught?

As he was just a reservist, and not in time of war, probably not. But it isn't clear.

[vapcq45]

Thank Shaun. Your help has been great.