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General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: lesley084 on Thursday 21 October 10 11:20 BST (UK)

Title: Age limit to enlist in the 1890's
Post by: lesley084 on Thursday 21 October 10 11:20 BST (UK)
Hi

I wonder if anyone can tell me how old you had to be to enlist in the army in the 1890's

Thanks Lesley
Title: Re: Age limit to enlist in the 1890's
Post by: NEILKE on Thursday 21 October 10 12:22 BST (UK)
hi lesley i cant tell you about the 1890s but i do know my granda joined the army in ww1 at 15 he told them a bit of a fib.
neil
Title: Re: Age limit to enlist in the 1890's
Post by: km1971 on Thursday 21 October 10 14:16 BST (UK)
In the regular army you had to be 18 to join as a Private. Each battalion did have a few Boys who were 14 years and above, but most vacancies would have gone to sons of soldiers, or from one of the two miltary schools.

You could join the Militia or Volunteers as a Private aged 17. Although I have seen a few joining a few months before their 17th birthday.

Ken
Title: Re: Age limit to enlist in the 1890's
Post by: lesley084 on Thursday 21 October 10 14:24 BST (UK)
Thank you both.
Lesley
Title: Re: Age limit to enlist in the 1890's
Post by: TwiggyTree on Monday 24 January 11 06:11 GMT (UK)
Would these ages also apply to New Zealand enlistment in the 1890s - 1900s ?
Title: Re: Age limit to enlist in the 1890's
Post by: km1971 on Monday 24 January 11 11:21 GMT (UK)
All units would be under crown control, so probably. Depends upon the type of unit.

Ken
Title: Re: Age limit to enlist in the 1890's
Post by: TwiggyTree on Monday 24 January 11 21:06 GMT (UK)
I am thinking of a the "Auckland Rifles", a volunteer battalion I believe, formed in 1898; and it's associated brigades.
Title: Re: Age limit to enlist in the 1890's
Post by: km1971 on Monday 24 January 11 21:20 GMT (UK)
My guess would be 17. The commander in chief in NZ was the Governor, so the state archives might have something.

Ken
Title: Re: Age limit to enlist in the 1890's
Post by: TwiggyTree on Wednesday 02 February 11 23:36 GMT (UK)
As a follow up to my NZ enquiry please see this post http://www.rootschat.com/links/0bn3/