An Englishman from Wales in the 9th RDF, Non Irish recruits in the RDF

[jonlangley]

My wife's grandfather, Alfred William Thacker Woolcock (13906), was an Englishman born in Plymouth who moved to Swansea sometime at the end of the 19th century. By the outbreak of war in 1914 he was already 42 years old and for reasons not yet discovered, he joined the 9th RDF on the 19th December 1915.

Swansea had strong links with Ireland (and still does) which may account for why he joined and Irish regiment. Alfred was killed on the 7th February 1917 and is buried in the military cemetery at Kemmel Chateau in Belgium. Having recently seen his grave, it’s very noticeable that a 44 year old private solider is laid to rest with so many men that were young enough to have been his sons!

I will endeavour to find out more from Kew as to the 9th's movements through 1916/17 and if possible, how he came to die. Any views or information that others may have on this period would be much appreciated.

[Son-Of-A-Dub]

from the information on his medal index card he landed in France on the 19-12-1915. English men in Irish regiments would have been fairly common especially later in the war and after the Easter Rising 1916. i don't know if his age may have stopped him joining but he may have lied about his age , he may have been in the army before WW1.

[Jamesking]

I think the upper age limit was about 42 for the volunteers at the start of the war and by 1918 this had been raised to 45.