At what age would he join up

[corb66]

My great uncle John Henry Choyce born 1881in Wolverhampton served with the south staffs 1st regiment, sadly losing his life in the great war October 1914. Like many others his record did not survive so I'm trying to fill in the gaps.
I know that he served in the second Boar war between 1899-1902 so I'm assuming he possibly joined 1897?
I would also like to know how long it would take him to work his way up the ranks, i have information showing he was a sergeant in 1907 and he is listed as a company sergeant major when he dies.
Many Thanks
Andrea

[km1971]

Hi Andrea

Although his service record as a Regular appears not to have survived, he actually served in the Militia for a few weeks before enlisting as a Regular.

He enlisted in the 3rd (Militia) Battalion on 12 December 1898 and enlisted as a Regular on 30 December 1898.

Ken

[Hackstaple]

I am not sure if anyone can tell you how long it takes to reach various non-commissioned or warrant ranks. It depends entirely on factors such as, obviously, ability, conduct, variation in sizes of a regiment, casualties. There is no pattern that sets out that a certain rank is reached after so many years of service, and never was. If he reached the rank of C.S.M. that was awarded by Royal Warrant so he was clearly a competent soldier - and literally 1 in a 100.

By the way, it is the Boer War.

[corb66]

Hi,

Thank you both for taking the time to reply, very interesting information you have both provided.

One last question at the time he was killed he left a widow and a young child living in Gibraltar,i assume living in military quarters  aside from an army pension would the army have assisted her in any way or would she have been left to fend for herself.

Regards

Andrea.

[Hackstaple]

It is hard to say but the Army would certainly have repatriated the family without any charge being made. Often a cash collection might be made in other circumstances but not usually during the Great War - there were so very many casualties including my own grandfather.

[km1971]

Pensions for soldier's widows only lasted six years. It stopped if she re-married during that time, but would receive one year's pension in lieu.

Ken

[corb66]

Hi Hackstaple,

Yes I'm the searcher on that thread, I never did get any replys but through my own research have learnt a lot since then. maybe i should repost the pictures on here.

Regards

Andrea

[Billyblue]

Hi,
One last question at the time he was killed he left a widow and a young child living in Gibraltar,i assume living in military quarters  aside from an army pension would the army have assisted her in any way or would she have been left to fend for herself.
Regards
Andrea.

This may not have been Gibraltar near Spain.
There is another Gibraltar somewhere in UK.   Sorry but I'm not at my own computer so cannot look it up for you.  Try our friend Mr Google.

Dawn M