Shorter - Look Up Please

[Pastseeker]

Can anybody help me find a John Shorter (Father also John Shorter) on the 1901 census.

I have him residing at 1 Ivy Ave, Runcorn Road, Birmingham in 1914 on his army enlistmet papers.

He was discharged in 1916 as under age so if I can find him on the census I will have an idea how old he was when he enlisted.

Any help appreciated.

Regards,

Paul.

[CaroleW]

Hi and welcome to Rootschat

Although his address was Birmingham - was he actually born in Warwickshire

This may be a 1901 possibility - looks like Dymoke St Aston

John J Shorter 23 b Erdington turner & screw cutter
Frances  31 b Ansley
John J  1 b Birmingham
RG13 Piece 2856 Folio 65 Page 11

There is also a William John Shorter b 1898 Harborne father John William  but all others were old enough to have enlisted in 1914

Depending on how many years underage he was - he may have only been born after the 1901 census although I think that is a little unlikely as he would only have been 13/14yrs old when he enlisted

Do you know the names of any of his siblings?

[jim1]

I birth reg.Dec.1899/Aston/6d/300 in the name of John James S Shorter.If he joined after December 1914 he would've been 15.Recruiting Sergeants weren't too bothered about ages,as far as they were concerned once one had accepted "the King's shilling"you were in & it was someone else's problem if they were under age.Being 5' 9 1/2" probably helped him get in.
Dymoke St. is correct.In 1914 Aston was part of B'ham.
Carole...on his enlistment he names his mother as Frances,so you have the right family.

jim

[CaroleW]

Hi

Thanks for that information about his mother Jim - very helpful.  This must  be his parents marriage

Marriages December qtr 1898 
 
Frances Allton    Birmingham  6d 89   
John James Shorter     
 

[Pastseeker]

Thanks for your reply's. I was told people on this board are helpful and so it has proved.

From what I can gather from his records are they he first enlisted into the Ox & Bucks on the 8th Feb 1915 giving the name John James Shorter, occupation fitter and was given the service no 17819, he was then discharged as under age on the 27th of Feb 1915 so his career with them was short.

He then enlisted into the 16th Warwickshire Regiment (3rd Birmingham Pals) on the 10th of March 1915, this time missing out his middle name and giving his occupation as a clerk  (I can only assume he did this as the Birmingham Pals were mostly white collar workers). He was given the service no 1319 with them and was posted to France on the 21st November 1915, was given 28 days field punishment for disobeying an order and making an inappropriate comment to an NCO and was again discharged as under age on the 28th of Feb 1916.

Thanks to your reply's I can now put his age at 16 when he originally enlisted. He was issued a WW1 trio under Service Number no 1319 with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment.

One last thing, if anybody could find his death it would be appreciated, it's just his medal card has 'died' on it but he, as far as I know was not a war casualty, that is the last bit of the puzzle.

Once again thanks for all your help.

Regards,

Paul. 

[jim1]

Hello Paul
His medal card says he was discharged.
He died 1936 aged 36 & his father 1951 aged 73.
He married Lucy Wasdell in 1920.They had 2 daughters in 1922 & 23.I won't put up their names as they may still be living.

jim

[Pastseeker]

Thanks Jim, need to get my eyes checked.

Paul.