Walter Godfrey

[Elma]

I could never find my grandfather Walter Godfrey on the 1901 census and we thought he was probably serving in the army. He always said he served in The Boar War. I had found his WW1 recsords. Now I have found that he served in The Somerset Light Infantry between 1890-1893 and 1899 and 1905 serving in South Africa.

On his records there a a couple of things I do not understand and wonder if anyone can explain them

1. On his second attestation in 1899 it records his previous service and says Discharged by Purchase

2.In 1905 it records Discharged TE 1st December 1905.

Can anyone explain these terms. I would be very grateful
ELMA

[Procat]

Hi Elma,

Soldiers could pay to be discharged from service prior to the time they had committed to serve. From what I can gather the price varied depending on the length of service and was at the discretion of the commanding officer. There was a discussion recorded in Hansard in 1920 which you may find interesting.

[keith9351]

No.2 could be Time Expired, I've seen this term on service records, when signed up for a fixed period.
Keith

[Elma]

Thanks Procat. That makes very interesting reading. Walter bought himself out for a £1 so maybe he was not a very efficient soldier. I am surprised he bought himself out as as he joined up and served six years after this and we were always told he loved the army.

Thanks Keith that makes sense, he served six years, nearly to the day.

It is so helpful to understand the terms and the forms become so much more meaningful.
Thanks again ELMA

[Waitabit]

Walter bought himself out for a £1 so maybe he was not a very efficient soldier. I am surprised he bought himself out as as he joined up and served six years after this and we were always told he loved the army.

Elma there may have been very necessary reasons for him to leave the Army at that stage. He went in again tho'didn't he?

[Elma]

Yes Waitabit
I am being judgemental again. Smack hand. I am glad you pointed it out. It is just when I read that Hansard report it said they kept efficient soldiers and did not let them or their family purchase their release. However the time was slightly earlier and maybe the army was not so concerned. Granddad was always an old soldier to me.
Regards Elma