Attestation Forms

[TEW]

Attestation

I have a few queries on the same man which I'll break up into different posts.

I am researching a man whose attestation is on Form B 2505 Short service (For the duration of the war). Dated 21/1/1918 his age being 18. His medical examination was on 27/11/1917 aged 17.

I assume this is conscription but does this mean he was ordered for medical when he was too young because they knew he was about to turn 18. He was posted to 53rd Young Soldiers Battalion Leicester Regiment which I assume is part of the New Army?

As far as attestations in general go, there are a number of Army Forms,. So far I have; B 2065, B 2505, B 2512, B 2513, Any definitive lists of types of attestation anywhere? Some refer to the MSA 1916 others do not, the above 2505 does not.

Thanks

TEW

[Chris_Baker]

The YS Battalions are not really New Army. They were created in a shake-up of the army's training organisation in October 1917.

A good deal about the battalion here: http://www.1914-1918.net/leicesters.htm

Attendance for medical prior to enlistment was quite normal.

I don't know of definitive lists of types of attestation - there seems to be dozens of them, and not always applied logically.

[TEW]

Thanks for the replies, all noted

TW

[Keith_history_buff]

It appears attestation B 265 was in use before the war, referencing the 7 and 5 split reintroduced for the infantry by Army Order 209 of 1906 and affecting those who enlisted from mid-August 1906 onwards.

Army Order 296 of 6 August 1914 introduced service of 3 years or the duration of the war, which was rescinded 7 November 1914. This briefly introduced attestation B 2065. When this was rescinded, attestation B 2505 was introduced for subsequent enlistments, which referenced serving for the duration of the war, and the rescinded 3 years were nowhere to be seen.

Whilst it is not in the scope of my interests, I would imagine B 2512, B 2513 were introduced with conscription, to make reference to MSA and similar.

[Keith_history_buff]

It appears that this existing B 248 was amended with a slip of paper. Up to this point, soldiers were enlisting under supplementary terms of service in the Special Reserve, to serve 1 year or the duration of the war. Now that all persons enlisting would do so for the duration of the war, 'at the end of which men so enlisting will be discharged with all convenient speed' the existing paperwork was amended, to reflect AO 470 until the new B 2505 attestation forms were issued. 

Comparison of the amended form, versus the text on an original form.

Amended attestation for Alfred William Creed, enlisting on Tuesday 10 Nov 1914, medically discharged 23 Dec 1914.

All images courtesy FindMyPast