Gnr Herbert Lyon RFA - a strange exemption from U.S draft in 1917

[davidbohl]

Is there any credence in Gunner Herbert Lyon's story please.

As far as I can make out he was born in Aspull, Lancs 1888 a cotton clerk, married according to the 1911 Census.

He crossed the pond to the US and 2 documents can be found on Ancestry:-

1) A 'declaration of intention' dated 1916 states he was born on 25th Oct 1888 and he was not married.

2) A Draft Registration dated 1917 states he was born 24th Oct 1888(1 day earlier), single and had 4 years in the RFA. He was claiming exemption because he had "brothers fighting in Europe".

The signatures on both forms are identical.

 

Many thanks

Dave

 

 

 

[daggers]

Previous service in TF?  Have you looking for the brothers’ births or baptisms?

D

[davidbohl]

On the 1901 census he had 4 brothers, 1 elder and 3 younger, wondering why this would exempt him ?

Dave

[MaxD]

17 minutes ago, davidbohl said:

wondering why this would exempt him ?

 

Don't know but it would have been under US rules that he was claiming the exemption which someone may be able to turn up.

 

Max

[DavidOwen]

I can't find a reference at the moment but I have a memory that post civil war in the USA there was some rule about ensuring a mother should not lose all her sons in conflict.

It was the basis for the film Saving Private Ryan, but sadly didn't save the Sullivan brothers in ww2.