Enlisted, but sent back to civvy street?

[nigbox]

Hello all,

I came across a photo of my Grandfather who was born 1889, so was 25 in 1914. He was a Lance Corporal, and I identified the cap badge as the Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry.

The story goes that he never got further than a training camp on Salisbury plain. A shortage of Engineers apparently meant that he was offered the chance to go back to essential work and he spent the war on Sea Trials of Warships.

Would that be unusual or has anyone else come across similar stories?

Thanks,

Nigel

[Moonraker]

Not uncommon. With the all the enthusiasm to join up in 1914, many skilled workers enlisted, sometimes leaving a shortage in key industries, resulting in some soldiers being returned to their civilian occupations. Your grandfather was probably serving the national interest better in his civilian work than as a lance corporal. In 1914 training battalions of the DCLI were at Perham Down, near Andover, and Codford, near Warminster. If you have his precise battalion number, eg 7th, 1/4th or 1/5th and service dates, I should be able to provide you with more info about his camp.

Moonraker

[nigbox]

Moonraker,

Thanks for the reply. I thought that was probably the case, as you say he did his bit the best way he could.

I have blown up the photo but no clues as to Battalion and I don't know service dates for Henry James Box at the moment.

Thanks again,

Nigel