Robert Stevens photographer

[BettyBoops]

Although Robert worked as a labourer for most of his life in Australia he was a very well educated man with a good knowledge of many things. So it's going to be interesting to see what he did before the war.
I know it's wrong to assume, but would it be fair to say that if they were in the army in their youth they'd be called up for the army, providing they were of "sound mind an body"?

[sparrett]

Hi Betty,
Did you know there is a board on Rootschat "Armed Forces"
There are some people there who are very knowledgeable and who contribute regularly .

Perhaps they might offer information about British forces in India during WW1. Recruitment, conscription, volunteerism etc.

Sue

[majm]

There was no conscription in Australia in WWI.

Was there any follow up to the following post? Or for any other Robert STEVENS NZ Army records?

At the New Zealand Archives online index there’s a digitised NZ Defence Force WWI file for a Robert STEVENS,  SA9827, WWI  17/187 Army.
https://www.archway.archives.govt.nz/

....
Robert was in the first WW. I know not where, as like so many of his time, little was said. It would appear (through friend's tracking) that he left Sydney for Wellington, NZ, in 1921. ....

JM

[sparrett]

Thanks CoL. Good spotting. I only have 1st and last pages of Robert records and have emailed the local lady for the full one. Number 37837
Colin's record has duplicate written in red, and the number is 37838
Same enlistment date 26 July 1905
Both enlisted in Allahabad
Robert - "near the town of" Raniket
Colin - Dehra Dun
Robert's age given as 19yrs 1 month.
Colin's age given as 18yrs 1 month
For Colin I do not have the page regarding parents.
Is there anything else you can think of? Ta Betty

Hi. Quoting above from Page 28 this thread.
Just as a "refresher"

On the same page ,Reply#246 has image of the front page of Robert Henry SEALE's attestation.

Consecutive enlistment with Colin SEALE.
Royal Field Artillery.

This was our last other bit of potentially useful information re. WW1 I think
Sue

[BettyBoops]

Did you know there is a board on Rootschat "Armed Forces"
There are some people there who are very knowledgeable and who contribute regularly - No. Learning so much these past few weeks. Of course we are only guessing he enlisted in NZ. Wouldn't he have been called up from India - and under the name "Seale"?

[BettyBoops]

I've posted on the Armed Forces - Robert Stevens/Seale. Betty

[cupoflife]

Thanks CoL. Good spotting. I only have 1st and last pages of Robert records and have emailed the local lady for the full one. Number 37837
Colin's record has duplicate written in red, and the number is 37838
Same enlistment date 26 July 1905
Both enlisted in Allahabad
Robert - "near the town of" Raniket
Colin - Dehra Dun
Robert's age given as 19yrs 1 month.
Colin's age given as 18yrs 1 month
For Colin I do not have the page regarding parents.
Is there anything else you can think of? Ta Betty

Hi. Quoting above from Page 28 this thread.
Just as a "refresher"

On the same page ,Reply#246 has image of the front page of Robert Henry SEALE's attestation.

Consecutive enlistment with Colin SEALE.
Royal Field Artillery.

This was our last other bit of potentially useful information re. WW1 I think
Sue

Betty,
Can you please check dates:
Colin bought his discharge in 1907 and Robert bought his discharge in 1907.
On Colin's Army record is written in red the word "Duplicate"....wondering?

CoL

Adding: From Armed Forces - Robert Stevens/Seale http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=768185.msg6204536#msg6204536

Just to put some background to this. Robert Henry Searle enlisted at Allahabad 26 July 1905. He was 19 years and 3 months old. He enlisted in the 19th Battery, Royal Field Artillery after serving in the Allahabad Rifle volunteers.
He purchased his discharge on 13 Feb 1907

[BettyBoops]

I've just had a good look at the army records of both boys. They both left under Article 1142 on the 13 Feb 1907. They are 2 separate forms filled out by the same officers on each form.
I've added another iron to the fire, by placing a request on the New Zealand Rootschat. This search request is more for the movements around the time of the work done on the Mangahao Dam.
ADDING: The heading is also Robert Stevens/Seale
While Dad was quite intelligent and well read, as well as the training via books to become a radiographer, he had done some jobs as "fireman" and learnt to use farm machinery quite competently. He was good with a rifle - When he was between farms he ran low on food and had to shoot a top knot pigeon for food. I'm guessing that required some steadiness and accuracy.
Betty

[BettyBoops]

Evening all. I've heard back from Sheila's grandson, and unfortunately there is no new news at all. the information he gathered is what we already know. Cheers, Betty