tharkin56 Posted 14 March , 2009 Share Posted 14 March , 2009 in research come across rifleman E. Elks he was only 14 and 4 months when he enlisted, his mother secured his discharge, he re-enlisted three days later and spent his 15th birthday in france. http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_detail...asualty=1541284 who was the youngest casualty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archangel9 Posted 15 March , 2009 Share Posted 15 March , 2009 Lots of debate on the youngest and some very good threads. This one for starters - http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/i...1&hl=condon John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluedog Posted 15 March , 2009 Share Posted 15 March , 2009 Pals As far as I am aware the youngest Australian to die in the Great War was was Pte. James Martin , 21st. Battalion on board a hospital ship off Anzac. James joined up at aged 14 years and en route to Gallipoli from Egypt on the "Southland" was torpedoed on September 2nd. and spent four hours in the water without a lifejacket before being rescued. James landed at Anzac Cove but his age was discovered and he was sent back to a Troopship but dived overboard to be with his mates ashore. His Officer then relented and made him a signaler but that was deemed to dangerous for the lad and he was made a water carrier. James contracted Trench Fever and was evacuated to a Hospital ship offshore where he died of heart failure at 1820 on October 25th. 1915. and was buried at sea James was then aged 14 years and 9 months and is remembered on Panel 65 of the Lone Pine Memorial. Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auchonvillerssomme Posted 15 March , 2009 Share Posted 15 March , 2009 I have looked at Elks before.....he is certainly a good candidate for being one of the youngest. Birth registration Name: Edwin Russell Elks Year of Registration: 1902 Quarter of Registration: Jan-Feb-Mar District: Burton Upon Trent County: Derbyshire, Staffordshire Volume: 6b Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tharkin56 Posted 15 March , 2009 Author Share Posted 15 March , 2009 I have a photo of the lad if anyone interested Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auimfo Posted 15 March , 2009 Share Posted 15 March , 2009 Pals As far as I am aware the youngest Australian to die in the Great War was was Pte. James Martin , 21st. Battalion on board a hospital ship off Anzac. James joined up at aged 14 years and en route to Gallipoli from Egypt on the "Southland" was torpedoed on September 2nd. and spent four hours in the water without a lifejacket before being rescued. James landed at Anzac Cove but his age was discovered and he was sent back to a Troopship but dived overboard to be with his mates ashore. His Officer then relented and made him a signaler but that was deemed to dangerous for the lad and he was made a water carrier. James contracted Trench Fever and was evacuated to a Hospital ship offshore where he died of heart failure at 1820 on October 25th. 1915. and was buried at sea James was then aged 14 years and 9 months and is remembered on Panel 65 of the Lone Pine Memorial. Peter That's correct Peter - he was the youngest known Australian soldier to die during the war. Interestingly, during our research into the Pheasant Wood mass graves at Fromelles, we believe we may have inadvertently discovered the youngest ever recorded Australian soldier to have been "killed in action" at 15 years, 10 months and 1 day old. We are just in the process of confirming this fact so 'watch this space'. It would prove very poignant if we're correct and his remains are recovered and identified during the upcoming exhumation. Cheers, Tim L. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auchonvillerssomme Posted 15 March , 2009 Share Posted 15 March , 2009 It will be very interesting to see what you come up with that man. Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nigelcave Posted 15 March , 2009 Share Posted 15 March , 2009 It will be very interesting to see what you come up with that man. Mick Has anyone ever investigated fully Pte Ross, South African, supposedly wounded at Third Ypres at age 13 years and 9 months and killed in March 1918 at 14 years and three months? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bantamforgot Posted 15 March , 2009 Share Posted 15 March , 2009 Hello Nigel, I am sure you will have read "Salient points 3" by your friend Tony regarding Pte. Ross? Colin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephen p nunn Posted 15 March , 2009 Share Posted 15 March , 2009 in research come across rifleman E. Elks he was only 14 and 4 months when he enlisted, his mother secured his discharge, he re-enlisted three days later and spent his 15th birthday in france. http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_detail...asualty=1541284 who was the youngest casualty Richard van Emden talks about 12 year old called Private S. Lewis on page 314 of his book 'Boy Soldiers'. SPN Maldon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auchonvillerssomme Posted 15 March , 2009 Share Posted 15 March , 2009 Name: ROSS, DAVID S. U. Initials: D S U Nationality: South African Rank: Private Regiment/Service: South African Infantry Unit Text: 2nd Regt. Age: 14 Date of Death: 25/03/1918 Service No: 11322 Additional information: Son of Mr. C. G. and Mrs. S. J. Ross, of Room 15, 218, Arcida Mansions, Johannesburg. At 14 years and 3 months, Pte. Ross is one of the youngest soldiers killed in the 1914-1918 war. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: 3. Cemetery: HEUDICOURT COMMUNAL CEMETERY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auchonvillerssomme Posted 15 March , 2009 Share Posted 15 March , 2009 14 years 3 months is a contender I think. mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bantamforgot Posted 15 March , 2009 Share Posted 15 March , 2009 Just a small addition . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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