MAN inelegible

[Fresh Fields]

Doing research tonight, and possibly tired after a big day, but it took some time of viewing a list of classified adds before I was able to give meaning to the wording of the adverts.

The importants of being aware of the time and context of your research.

Alan.

[Fresh Fields]

An explanation.

At first glance one could be excused for thinking why would a classified FARM WORKERS WANTED add have ‘ineligible’ listed as a prerequisite skill.

But at the time of war ineligible “for military service” was very important to a farmer short of labour.

Especially so when his existing able bodied men were getting balloted for active service. Even more so when his sons, were also being called up.

Ineligible men had already been deemed, to not meet the able bodied test for service, but could still be fit enough, to hold down a full time physical job on the farm, without the threat of being called away in the next ballot.

So during war time, ineligible was quite commonly mentioned, in a wide range of adds seeking staff.

Alan.

[spades]

Thanks for the explanation, Alan.

I was wondering!

Spades