Recorded Ages of Members
of the
Australian Tunnellers
Age - Number
15 - 1
17 - 1
18 - 87
19 - 88
20 - 88
21 - 212
22 - 202
23 - 182
24 - 199
25 - 174
26 - 199
27 - 181
28 - 196
29 - 196
30 - 161
31 - 176
32 - 162
33 - 145
34 - 134
35 - 165
36 - 132
37 - 125
38 - 162
39 - 139
40 - 153
41 - 116
42 - 170
43 - 182
44 - 261
45 - 80
46 - 24
47 - 20
48 - 34
49 - 26
50 - 7
51 - 1
53 - 2
55 - 1
58 - 1
4322 John Edward Samson ELLIOTT
Edward V. J. S. Elliot was recorded in the March 1901 Census of England as 3 months of age and living at 17 Crossley Street, Lower Holloway, Islington, England, the son of Edward and Georgina (nee Sampson) Elliot.
Family history records that Edward Vivian John Sampson Elliot was born in 5 December 1900 at 17 Crossley Street, Lower Holloway, Islington, England, the son of Edward and Georgina (nee Sampson) Elliot.
He enlisted on 31 December 1915 as John Edward Samson Elliott, stating he was 19 years old and that his parents were dead, that he had no guardians and naming his sister Kathleen Elliot of Boulder, Western Australia, as his Next-of-Kin.
His age at enlistment was 15 years and 26 days - making him the youngest Tunneller on our database.
4517 Sapper Norman Alfred Robert WILSON
The Embarkation Roll records Norman as a 15 year old student of Perth, WA; enlisted 22-Feb-16 and embarked for the Western Front on HMAT 'Warilda' on 1-Jun-1916
How he managed to get to France at such a young age is possibly explained by a note on his file, after he arrived in England:
"As he is not yet 17 years of age and could not go overseas for over two years, it is recommended that he be discharged in England in order that he may be apprenticed to the Engineering. This is in accordance with the wishes of his father - the Honourable Frank Wilson, Premier of Western Australia."
He was discharged in England on 11-May-1917 entitled to wear the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
We believe Norman WILSON was the youngest person to appear on an Embarkation Roll for general service.
49 Sapper William John BISHOP
A Miner of Mt Morgan, Qld, he enlisted 26-Nov-1915 stating his age as 49 years, and embarked for the Western Front on 20-Feb-1916 with the Australian Mining Corps.
In May 1917, he wrote to his CO, Major Henry, requesting discharge 'with the full knowledge that I am totally unfit through illness & age to continue to serve in His Majesties forces'.
His CO strongly recommended his request, and the G.O.C. A.I.F. approved the application for return to Australia, adding his personal appreciation of Sapper Bishops' service. William John Bishop was 62 years old when he enlisted.
3664 2nd Corporal George PAUL
Enlisted 18-Oct-1915 and embarked with the Mining Corps reinforcements on 22-May-1916, arriving France 15-Oct that year.
A press report following his return to Australia in May 1917, recorded "On his arm were Corporal's stripes and on his breast the ribbons of several memorable campaigns. Ashanti 1873-74 under Sir Garnet WOLSELEY; Zulu War 1879 under Lord CHELMSFORD; Egypt 1882 under Sir Garnet WOLSELEY; then through the Boer War (Colour Sergeant Major) for which he wears both the Kings and Queens Medals."
To these George now added the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
Although he had told the recruiters of his previous service with the 42nd Royal Highlanders and the 6th Imperial Bushmen, they apparently did not notice the 21 year disparity between his stated age of 48, and his true age of 69.
We believe George PAUL may have been the oldest person to enlist for general service in WW1.
The average age of the members of the Mining Corps was 32 years
The Mining Corps was authorised to accept people with qualifications in the mining industry up to the age of 50 years
Several members were sent straight home from the Western Front as being 'over age', and many others suffered badly in the cold weather of the Northern Winter, especially when the Army decided it was Summer and withdrew the warm clothing and blankets issued for Winter.
Debility, pleurisy and bronchitis were common ailments among those returning home.
