Lying about his age 1848

[ajm314159]

Common knowledge is that in the past young men might lie about their age to join up. In my family histories I have a few examples.

But the brother of a ggggf attested in Feb 1848 for the 48th L.I. that he was “22 11/12” years old -- when in fact he was 5 years older.  He was discharged with a heart condition after 14 years’ service.

This is unusual, in my limited experience.  Is it? Why would a man swear himself younger, to join the army? Was there an upper age limit sometimes?

[Stanwix England]

Is it possible that it was just a mistake? I have noticed that this sort of thing can happen, especially when the person writing the record and the person giving the information have different accents and backgrounds - which I think is certainly possible in an army recruitment situation.

I can imagine your GGGGU being too nervous to correct the mistake, in a situation like that, with someone in authority.

[BumbleB]

Just a thought - have you seen the image of the original attestation papers?  I'm thinking that 2 and 7 could be seen as similar 

[ajm314159]

I haven't found the attestation papers, only the discharge papers with medical report etc.  They, at least, leave no doubt that the army thought he was born in March 1825. The discharge age is given as 36 11/12, and as 14 years’ and 56 days’ service.

Are the attestation papers likely to be findable (online)?

He was a good old sweat, three good conducts, one medal, no correction; and he was literate. But I agree it might be a mistake, all the same. Probably we'll never know.

Charles Eades, b Chewton 1820, attested Newport 5/3/48, served Cape 2 yrs 10 mos, India 5 yrs 11 mos, discharged Chatham 1/4/62, d Chewton 16/6/70.

[Stanwix England]

Have you found where he was on the 1851 census? Could that maybe give us a clue?

[ajm314159]

I think it very likely, given his nearly nine years of service abroad, that he was in South Africa in 1851.  At any rate, I've found no census.

[BumbleB]

Deleted

[BumbleB]

The other thing to consider is that Charles was NOT fibbing about his age.  Obviously he did not register his own death, so the age at death could be incorrect. 

[ShaunJ]

He was stationed in Dublin in 1851

https://www.findmypast.co.uk/transcript?id=GBM%2FSOLIDX%2F1851%2F0042791