Age at start of Service

[hmsk212]

Hi

It has probably already been discussed in the past but I have not managed to find any threads/comments on this subject. Why was there a difference in the age limits for the Navy & Army. In the Army I believe you were supposed to be 18 before you enlsited but in the Navy you could join as a boy of 15. My own grandfather joined aged 15 and was on active service by the time he was 16 years 1 month. He served in King George V during 1918. In fact his War & Victory Medals would be inscribed to Boy Tel, should I ever manage to trace them. Does this age difference between the Navy & Army mean that it was not thought to be such a high risk for a lad to serve aboard a Ship of War as opposed to being a lad serving in the trenches. I have probably got hold of the wrong end of the stick but I am sure some of the Pals will soon put me right.

Steve