Three Different Regiments?

[Del 80]

Hello, I have just discovered that my other half's grandfather was in three different branches of the armed forces, namely, The Royal Irish Rifles, The Royal Navy, and The Royal Scots Fusiliers. His name was Hugh Joseph Clarke, born 1900 in Ardrossan to Irish parents. When he was discharged from the RIR, he would only have been 15 years old, would this have been normal in those days?, any help appreciated, Regards Del.

[LesleyB]

Hi Del

It seems unlikely to me that someone could have achieved all that before the age of 15... Where have you found the information that suggests this?

Best wishes
Lesley

[Del 80]

Hi Lesley, The RIR was the 1st regiment, he then went on to join the navy in 1917, and then later the Royal Scots Fusiliers, it is on Ancestry.Regards Del.

[Del 80]

Lesley,Just had another look, and the dates are, RIR, discharged 9th feb.1915 or 16 [difficult to read],enlisted R. N. 15th dec. 1917, discharged 19th march 1920, joined Royal Scots 6th oct. 1920. Regards Del.

[Currie]

Hello Del,

Perhaps the Army found out how old he was and kicked him out. You can read about Boy Soldiers here. http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/FWWboy.htm

The National Archives has this record from Registers of Seamen's Services. I’m not sure what you got from Ancestry, maybe they were the RN medal rolls. http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/docu ... ultcount=7

Name Clarke, Hugh Joseph
Official Number: J83705
Place of Birth: Ardrossan, Ayrshire
Date 04 May 1900

Alan

PS The NA site may be misbehaving at the moment, if the link doesn't work try later, or try the number in the top search box..
Alan

[Del 80]

Thanks Alan, I have his service record from the N.A.,and all the dates seem to fit, a busy man indeed, of course it is FATHER that I am more interested in, the elusive Samuel Clarke, now there is a brickwall............... Regards Del.