Boy Jack Cornwell VC

[horatio2]

From http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/11452014/Meet-the-Royal-Navy-heroes-of-World-War-One-who-were-just-young-boys.html

"Cornwell lied about his age and enlisted in the Royal Navy aged 15. ... In 1915, without telling his father Eli, the mature-looking newspaper delivery boy from east London fashioned himself as a fresh-faced 17-year-old and stood up to serve. ... His true age only became known when his body was repatriated ..."

He did not lie about his age because his correct age is stated on his record and on his engagement papers.

He could not have enlisted as a Boy without providing a Parental Consent Form, which his mother could sign as his father was in France..

He did not "fashion himself" as anything other than a 15-year old Boy Seaman.

His "true age" was known from the day he enlisted.

His body was not "repatriated". He died ashore in Grimsby Hospital.

How wrong can you be. There is an equally daft article on boy ratings, on similar "lied about their age" lines, in today's Daily Telegraph.

[simonharley]

Apparently Revenge was a 40,000 ton battleship. Where did they get that from??

[MikB]

Apparently Revenge was a 40,000 ton battleship. Where did they get that from??

I think someone's thumb must've been on the scales...

Regards,

MikB

[Trev2386]

I think someone's thumb must've been on the scales... :DRegards,MikB

Now that is a big battleship!!!