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Age limit - Canadian Armed Forces - WW1

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Mick in the Sticks

Mick in the Sticks Report 18 May 2010 08:13

Does anyone know if the was an age limit for enlisting into the Canadian Armed Forces in WW1?

I have a relative who was born in 1869, (birth index evidence), but who gave his birth as 1873 when he enlisted in 1914. He would have been 45 years old at the time.

On a ships passenger list when he emigrated to Canada in 1907, this same relative gave his correct birth year so this is not a case of someone being unsure when they were born. I can only speculate at the moment that there may have been an age restriction at the time on joining the Canadian Armed Forces and that he told an untruth about his age for patriotism reasons.

Michael

Karen in the desert

Karen in the desert Report 18 May 2010 10:39

I don't think lying about their age was uncommon, as many men were fiercely patriotic, desperate to fight for their country.
They were also greatly encouraged by those various recruitment posters which showed things like - "your chums are fighting, why aren't you". etc.

I don't know what the age limit was, but I have a relative who did much the same as yours, he lied about his age. But my relative put his age up, as he was only about 15 at the time!
He was English, and had emigrated with his family to the USA in 1910.
In 1914 he and his brother skipped across the border into Canada to join the Expeditionalry Force. They were sent to France and he was killed in 1915. His brother suffered from gas inhalation and was sent to England to recuperate where he eventaully married his nurse, and settled in England!!

If you don't know of these websites already (you probably do) here are 2 which I found very helpful....

www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/databases/cef/index-e.html

www.vac-acc.gc.ca (from the menu on the left, click on the A-Z).

K

Researching:
Researching: MILLS & ROBERTS Cambs: TAGG Thames Ditton & East Molesey, Surrey: LEETON/LEADON Hunts & Cambs: LLOYD London/Middx: FROST London/Middx: ROSKAS, KISELIUS, BUDAS W.Lothian & Lanarks: ROSKAS, JAKAS/JAKAITE, JUSKEVICIUS, MICKEVICIUS Lithuania

MargaretM

MargaretM Report 18 May 2010 12:08

I believe age limits were 19-40.

Researching:
Great grandmother Dorothy Bean nee Abbott (1858-1908)

Mick in the Sticks

Mick in the Sticks Report 18 May 2010 14:37

Margaret,

Many thanks for that information. The upper age limit would help explain why my relative lied age out his age. It would appear that both my relative and his son who enlisted together survived the war.

Karen,

Many thanks also for those links, they are proving most useful. Through these links I have found out that the relative who lied about his age also had a grandson that I was not aware of previously. Unfortunately the links show this grandson died over Germany while flying for the Canadian Air Force.

Once again, thank you both very much.

Michael