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Canada Colonial LSGC Argylls Bandsman

Colonial Auxiliary Forces LSGC Medal, Bandsman Arthur Wood Rowland, 15th Battalion Argyll Light Infantry, lied about his age to fight in WW1 but was discharged as he was 10 years too old.

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Origin: United Kingdom
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Colonial Auxiliary Forces LSGC Medal, Bandsman Arthur Wood Rowland, 15th Battalion Argyll Light Infantry, lied about his age to fight in WW1 but was discharged as he was 10 years too old.

 

Officially impressed: “Bandsman. A. Rollands. Argyll Light Inf.”

 

Awarded in the Canada Gazette during 1921.

 

Arthur Rollands, or Arthur Wood Rowland, sometimes Rolland, was born in St John, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, during 1862.
The son of George John Rowland (1823-1912) and Amelia Stacy (1830-1867). His Father George was from Glastonbury, Somserset, and had ventured to Newfoundland Canada in the 1840s.

 

Arthur settled in Ontario, home of the 15th Battalion, Argyll Light Infantry Militia and signed up there as a Private circa 1896.

 

He had left his family behind as a young man and ventured over all the way from the most Eastern Coast of Canada in Newfoundland to Belleville in Ontario, 3000km away.

 

After his arrival, a 22 year old Arthur married his wife Ontario born Sarah Jane White on 2nd July 1884 in Belleville.

 

He spent the next many years with the Argyll Light Infantry and through the 1900s was a Bandsman on their Militia Pay Lists.

 

Living in Belleville, Ontario, which was the founding town of the 15th Battalion Argylls.

 

When World War 1 began, he attempted to enlist to serve with the Canadian Expeditionary Force.

 

He stated that he was a Bookkeeper living with his with Sarah Jane Rowland at 175 Mary Street in Belleville, Ontario.

 

He also said that his Birth date was 18th October 1872, which would make him about 44 years old (He was actually 54).

 

Also stating he was currently actively a member of the 15th Regiment Argyll Light Infantry. His Militia unit was not deployed for the war, but he like most others signed up with other units to try and fight in the war.

 

Signed on at Belleville on 31st March 1916 with the 155th Battalion and joined the 254th Battalion C.E.F. on 10th November 1916.

 

He had joined the 3rd Special Service Company when he was medically discharged on 19th June 1917.

 

It turns out that when he underwent a further Medical Checkup on 29th march 1917, he was found to have shaved off 10 years from his age, his original date of birth being revealed as October 18th, 1862.

 

“He looks to be much older but is in fair condition considering his age.”

 

He was unfortunately found to be over the age of 45, the oldest you could be to serve, having tried to squeeze in as 44 years old, “As he is 9 years overage, we recommend him for immediate discharge.”

 

He had spent a year in the Army in Canada, and this service did not entitle him to any sort of medals etc, but the whole process did result in a very length file available for free online at the Canadian Archives.

 

A likely disappointed old Arthur was sent back to his wife in Belleville.