Can anyone please confirm that it was Hore Belisha who devised a scheme to prevent under-age soldiers from serving abroard. What was the age criteria? Were any actually returned home? Any information much appreciated.
Do you mean the announcement of the under 19 rule for the BEF, or a scheme to discover young men who lied about their age to enlist? I believe the upper age was initially 36, and something seldom mentioned is that older men also lied about their age to join-up. Nice story I read about one time Monty was reviewing some Commandos abroad. He passed a man who looked a bit 'seasoned', and asked him his age. The man replied '36 sir'. Monty took a pace nearer, leaned towards him and said; "From one old timer to another, how old are you really?". The man said; "OK sir, I'll take a chance. I'm 36 and a half." No.9
Hi No.9 Do you know the precise details of the upper age limits, since these are often overlooked: I'm aware conscription included those aged 18-41, and the younger ones were called-up in age groups (20-22, 22-27, 27-36) in 1939-40, but when were those 36+ or over 41 called up, and were they restricted to the rear echelon units? Thanks Richard
Hello Richard Precise call-up details for general service I'm not familiar with. I surmise older men would be called-up after the optimum age pool was getting low, and logically not assigned to duties they might be less ably fit for? However, in respect of, lets say, officers, there is a lot of evidence of the 'old pals' network in play to get commissioned or re-commissioned, and thereafter some who pushed for active service. One example is Evelyn Waugh, (Royal Marines and No.8 Commando), and another Admiral Sir Walter Cowan, Bt, K.C.B., D.S.O., M.V.O.. Cowan was 68 in 1939 and used his pals to get himself assigned to the Commandos, albeit in an admin role. Cowan did his best to get front line as far as possible. He was captured by the Italians in North Africa, after they let him empty his pistol at a tank, and subsequently returned him as they considered he was too old to be in the war. Back in England he got himself reassigned to Brigade HQ of 2 Cdo Bde in Italy under Tom Churchill. He refused to wear a helmet rather than his green beret even when at advance HQ positions. He returned to England after a very tough episode for part of the brigade in Yugoslavia when his friend Pop Manners, CO of No.40 (RM) Cdo, was killed. He got himself back into Europe during the advance into Germany and returned to England for the last time after relieving himself in the River Rhine, which he declared as a personal ambition. No.9
Having finished training and coursework (volunteer 17 and quarter, RAF), I was sent to transit centre for overseas posting. Organising sergeant called our attention to the fact that anyone under 18 years was not compelled to accept overseas posting, therefore, if any of us were under 18 and did not want to go they could withdraw there and then. Myself and one other were of this age, but, we both chose to go, and very glad I did for I enjoyed the experience.
I recall it well, 19 was the age that you could be sent into battle abroad. My birhday was in April, in Normandy 5/6 weeks after, soon as I was 19. What a handsome your fellow I was!! Honestly.. Sapper,
My dad was quite the dashing young man as far as I can tell from the old photos! He was born in '23 I believe, so would have been rather young entering the war, serving in the RN. But I do recall he told me he'd entered "Naval College" as he called it at the ripe age of 14. I do know that he didn't have particularly high level postings, serving at least some of his time on the ships protecting the convoys across the Atlantic; however, he did have the healed wounds on his legs which attested to some serious action, which of course gave me all the more respect for the job he'd done. Cheers
Here is an article that I found about a U.S. sailor who joined the Navy at the ripe old age of 13. Article Link
