WW1 service record questions

[Norfolk Nan]

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

[Mick Loney]

At a complete guess, Relationship Not Stated. Seems to fit the scenario.

[Norfolk Nan]

Duh, I hadn't thought of that! Thanks

[AdrianBruce]

... *why would an English national sign up for the Canadian Expeditionary Force in London in 1915? ...

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 )

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.

[VALLMO9]

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.

[Norfolk Nan]

(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.

[VALLMO9]

The 33rd Battalion recruited and was mobilized in London, Ontario.

[Norfolk Nan]

I guess the absence of England with the second London would be the key. Thanks, Mo.

[AdrianBruce]

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?

[jonwarrn]

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