Medical discharge papers

[Guest Conscript]

I am researching a man who claimed to have joined the British army in 1915, but to have received a medical discharge very soon afterwards. He subsequently carried an army medical discharge card to prove that he was not eligible for military service.

Does anyone know the process involved? What does the possession of a medical discharge card indicate? Does it mean that he volunteered, passed the initial medical, enlisted, and was later discharged from the army? Or could it mean simply that he failed the initial medical? I know that he was back in civilian life by April or May 1915, so if he spent time in the army it was not very long.

As a supplementary question, is there any chance of finding a PRO record of this discharge?

Thanks, Nick.

[Charles Fair]

Did he hold the Silver War Badge? I have recenly come across men on the Roll of the SWB who enlisted in the in the unit that I am researching in laet 1914/early 1915 and who were discharged sick after only 2-3 months. It might be worth checking to see if he has a medal index card which should show SWB eligibility and then the Roll itself for reason for discharge.

[Charles Fair]

For example 2055 Pte Frederick Reid, 19th London Regt, enlisted 5 Aug 1914, discharged sick 11 Aug 1914 under paragraph 156 (II) of Territorial Force Regulations was awarded the Silver War Badge.