Genealogy Chat

I have a relly Jon Derry who we have a photo of, wearing army uniform, he looks about 30ish in the picture, my Dad reckons it was probably taken around the turn of the last century. I have found Jon on the 1871 census as a child, but in 1881 the only Jon I can find from Frome of the right age is in a naval Hospital in Devon. Would it be likely that someone who joined the navy in his teens would have then joined the army in his late twenties? I thought people usually chose a service and stuck with it. Any military buffs out there to tell me if this was common?

He could perhaps have been in the naval hospital for some reason without actually being in the navy. Kath. x

He would most likely have been treated in the nearest Military or Naval hospital regardless of which service he was in. My husband a soldier was treated in both Military and Naval hospitals, as was I as an Army wife. Jennifer.

Kathleen, his occupation is given as 'Boy-Royal Navy'. So he must have actually been in the navy. Maybe he got sea-sick so they chucked him out??????

Ann, it is possible. I was in the army and after six years got out and joined the Navy. It is also posible he was in a Navy hospital as this was normal and happened frequently to army personnel. Regards Bill

Thanks Bill, this is seeming more likely now that I know other people have done it!!!

My daughter was in the Regular Army for four years, then went into the RAF. Olde Crone

Hi .. I went from R A F to Royal Navy.. and don't forget the Royal Marines formed many years ago canny lad Mike