British Army to Canadian Army

[cherrel]

Hello from Canada!
A search on "FindMyPast" -"Military, armed forces & conflict" brought up my Grandfather's name Frederick John Priestly Nicol. Born 1885. He is listed as being with the British Army. As far as I know he spent most of his career in Quebec City and retired as a Sergeant Major with the Canadian Army. Is it possible that he changed "teams"?
There is also a family story that after he first enlisted in England he was very unhappy and his family "bought" him out of the army. He changed his mind again and re-enlisted. If this is true I guess the family was pretty frustrated. Is "buying a soldier out" something that was done in those days?

[christanel]

On ancestry
Canada, WWI CEF Attestation Papers, 1914-1918
Attestation 1 January 1919
Frederick John Priestly Nicol
Birth Date - 18 Nov 1885
Birth Location - Tottenham, London, England
Residence - Quebec, Quebec
Relative - Mrs Ethel Nicol
Relationship - Wife
Regiment Number - 1287654
Trade - Engineer Clerk
previously served in the R G A (Imp Army) R C S A and C M ? C (P F )

Yes it was possible to buy someone out of their service and I have seen a few examples. it may be that your man actually finished his term of service and then decided to join up in Canada. When did he emigrate do you know?
Christina