Remember the sacrifice of our boy soldiers

AS we honour the sacrifice made in two world wars on Remembrance Sunday this week, it’s pertinent to focus on the patriotic bravery of the thousands of boy soldiers who enlisted in the British and Empire Army, especially during the Great War.

This rare postcard, pictured right, shows a group of young Army cadets climbing on a large haystack. It dates from around 1914 and is believed to have been taken in Bridlington or the immediate vicinity. The photographer’s name and “Bridlington” are stamped, very faintly but legibly, on the reverse.

What many don’t realise is that around 250,000 children enlisted in the British and Empire Army between 1914 and 1918, despite the legally required age being 18.

You see, a new recruit only had to measure taller than 5ft 3 in, which made it easy for youngsters to falsify their age and name, especially before the introduction of conscription in 1916.

Quite simply, kids today don’t even know they’re born.

In 1914, you left school at 12 and were expected to be in full-time employment by 13. Grocery and newspaper delivery were common first jobs, but because they were low paid, the financial lure of Army enlistment was extremely high (patriotic considerations aside).

All the young cadets in this evocative old postcard are clearly aged between 12 and 16. It goes without saying that a sizeable percentage will have been conscripted from 1916 to1918, and a few will doubtless have enlisted before their 18th birthdays.

This Sunday, let us remember the courageous local boys in this beautiful photograph who went on to see active service in the First World War and who may have lost their lives so that we may be free.

Never forget, our freedom today has come at a great price.

Aled Jones, Bridlington.