? IRISH DESERTER!!

[bracaragh]

I heard a story the other day but I'm not sure if it might be true or whether it's just a airy fairy tale.
This person reckoned that a relative from Eire joined the army.....travelled to the UK, deserted, was employed in heavy industry and then enlisted in the army again at the beginning of the 1st world war! The years in question would have been c1910 - 1914
Does this make sense to anyone?
Surely if someone deserted they would be liable for punishment and would they be allowed to rejoin the forces again?
Please can somebody clarify this...|jedi|

[ChristineR]

Surely if someone deserted they would be liable for punishment and would they be allowed to rejoin the forces again

Only if they got caught out :D probably fibbed when he enlisted, he may not have used his proper name and birthplace.

My grandfather deserted from the Royal Navy, jumped ship in New Zealand. When he enlisted in WW1 in Sydney, Australia, he told them he had bought his way out. I do not know if that part is true or not.

You can try to find evidence of his service.

[bracaragh]

I have his son's birth certificate - 1915 and his occupation is private in South Wales Borderers.....I've checked various things over on ancestry but can't find any army record.
He died in 1929 but by that time he had left the army and was working in the colliery.
Are there any lists of deserters ? Any thoughts would be welcome|help|

[Geoffers]

I have his son's birth certificate - 1915 and his occupation is private in South Wales Borderers.....I've checked various things over on ancestry but can't find any army record.

It could well be one of the burnt records, a minority of army records from WW1 survive.



Are there any lists of deserters ? Any thoughts would be welcome

There is not a single searchable database of deserters for this period. However, I believe that deserters were included in casualty returns which are held at TNA in document class WO25.

[bracaragh]

Many thanks for the input....I will check it out |wave|

[bracaragh]

Sorry...me again.
Apparently the person that I've been discussing didn't desert during war time.
According to the story he enlisted approx 1911 and then by 1913 I have him working as a collier.
He enlists/ called up to the South Wales Borderers approx 1914 and then returns to civvy st. after the war.
If he deserted it would have been approx 1912?! |5cups|

[ChristineR]

My fellow deserted in 1908, his name and description was published in Police Gazettes in both New Zealand and Australia. Also in newspapers. I do not know if there were police gazettes where your fellow did his deed, maybe it was published in the newspapers in the area, they usually offered a reward.

:)