Hi, I've got a couple of questions that I hope someone can answer:
*why would an English national sign up for the Canadian Expeditionary Force in London in 1915?
*according to the standard service card next of kin was given but the relationship was R.N.S. - any ideas what that suggests? The new recruit was 23 and had served a year in the navy and shared a surname with the next of kin - I thought it indicated his father but maybe another male relative?
Thanks
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WW1 service record questions
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Re: WW1 service record questions
At a complete guess, Relationship Not Stated. Seems to fit the scenario.
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Re: WW1 service record questions
Duh, I hadn't thought of that! Thanks
- AdrianBruce
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Re: WW1 service record questions
Hmm. Firstly note that the step isn't as big as we might think because Canadians were all British subjects at that point (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_ ... _Act,_1946 )Norfolk Nan wrote: ↑06 Nov 2023, 11:42 ... *why would an English national sign up for the Canadian Expeditionary Force in London in 1915? ...
On that basis, although I've never seen it myself, it just becomes a bigger version of someone from Cheshire joining the Shropshire Light Infantry. Presumably, he (and/or his friends) knew someone already in the CEF? Maybe friends who had emigrated to Canada, and joined up out there? That would be my guess.
But, having said all that, I am puzzled that the CEF would go to the trouble of recruiting overseas - unless they were topping up numbers?
Adrian
PS - I'd agree with "Relationship Not Stated" - but note that I'm agreeing that it's a good suggestion, not saying I know that's the answer.
Adrian Bruce
Re: WW1 service record questions
Did he definitely enlist in London (England), or could it have been London, Ontario? What CEF regiment did he enlist with?
My friend has a 2 x great-uncle from Blackburn who emigrated to the USA in 1910. During WW1 he enlisted with the CEF...in London, Ontario.
My friend has a 2 x great-uncle from Blackburn who emigrated to the USA in 1910. During WW1 he enlisted with the CEF...in London, Ontario.
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Re: WW1 service record questions
(Hopefully) I've attached his service card because it is the clearest copy, I have the original enlistment papers but they are poor copies. The suggestion is London, England and he enlists into the 33rd Battalion of the Canadian overseas expeditionary force.
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Re: WW1 service record questions
The 33rd Battalion recruited and was mobilized in London, Ontario.
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Re: WW1 service record questions
I guess the absence of England with the second London would be the key. Thanks, Mo.
- AdrianBruce
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Re: WW1 service record questions
Oh that "London" is so annoying... You have my sympathy - they're all explicitly "London, England" so what else would you imagine "London" to be from that context?
Adrian Bruce
Re: WW1 service record questions
It does say that Henry enlisted London, Ont. further on in his records. Image 557. Plus some addresses. Haven't gone through all the images
https://www.ancestry.co.uk/discoveryui- ... 932806fb8a
And probably also on the other side of his attestation paper (also on ancestry)
https://recherche-collection-search.bac ... ng%20henry
https://www.ancestry.co.uk/discoveryui- ... 932806fb8a
And probably also on the other side of his attestation paper (also on ancestry)
https://recherche-collection-search.bac ... ng%20henry