enlist 1900, age 15

[coath]

hello all

this is my first post, my gf cecil harry coath joined the army 1900 aged 15 discharged 1920 medically unfit for service. then there was a dispute about eligibility for pension.

what would he have done in 1900 age 15, we do not know much about his military service, have photo of him in regimental band approx 1913

I would really like to know what he would've been doing in the army at 15, cant find him on the 1901 census

any info much appreciated

cheers

[Muerrisch]

I have not got the recruiting regulations for 1900, although it is likely that one of our members has, but I expect that the criteria were little different from slightly later:

boys could be recruited from 14 up to 18, paid less [2/3 of a shilling in 1914] than a private soldier, and trained in specific tasks/ trades.

These included tailor, drummer, bugler [Rifle regiments], piper, trumpeter [cavalry, RA and RE] and, from time to time, a few other specialisms. Boys enlisting for tailoring were required to sign for a long period.

At 18 they became 'men', paid as such, but, without the CO's consent, none could go on active service under the age of 19 years.

[Jonathan Saunders]

With regard to his pension I think this would have only been considered on service from his 18th birthday onwards.

[coath]

thanks for the replies

he was a saxaphone player in the band so would that've been what he went in as?

he was in the royal dublin fusiliers, would there be anyway to find out where he would/ve been stationed around 1900

cheers

[Graham Stewart]

Coath,

In 1899 the 1st Bn, Royal Dublin Fusiliers were stationed at the Curragh, Ireland and the 2nd Bn, R.D.F. was serving in South Africa were it had been since around 1892? So the 2nd Bn, R.D.F. was one of the first units to take part in the South African War(1899-1902), but was later joined by the 1st Bn, R.D.F.

One of the heroes of the Irish Brigade at the Battle of Colenso was infact 14 year old Bugler John Dunne of the 2nd Bn, R.D.F. who was severely wounded. He was evacuated to the UK and recovered from his wounds to be chaired through the streets of Portsmouth and became the subject of a painting.

The secondary role of a bandsman in war, was to act as a stretcher bearer, but I couldn't say if all band boys went with the 1st Bn, R.D.F. to S.A.. The band of the 2nd Bn would have already been in S.A. at the time war broke out.

Graham.

[coath]

thanks graham for the information. did not realize boys this young would be sent to war. if he did go to south africa, is there a separate medal roll I could check, I have his medal card for ww1.

i know he was in RDF from 1913 but would he have gone straight into this regiment from enlistment. also another question on his sons birth certificate dec 1914 he is shown as a corporal 3rd bat dublin fusiliers paddington, I wonder why he was not already overseas being a regular soldier. he died in 1940 and my mum (his daughter) does not remember much about him.

thanks

karen

[Conor Dodd]

I don't know if this is of any interest but 7229 C. H. Coath requested some help from the RDF OCA in 1920 due to the problems he was having after being invalided out of the army they gave him £1-0-0 on the 10/06/1920.

Conor