TOPIC:

This is a long shot. But my great uncle joined the DCLI around 1900 and did his stint in SA. 5 clasps.

However, he changed his name when he joined. He remained in the army after the war, was an Old Contemptible in WW1, became the his regiment's RSM, and retired after 20 years' service with his LSGC Medal etc.

Has anyone any idea why he would change his name to join? Where men offered prison or the army so late in the Victorian period? Might he have been running away from a wife?

He was born and buried William John Connor, but his military service he was William John Finch.

Thank you

DCLI,

I have come across a few people who enlisted with different names to those on their birth certificate. One of the reasons cited is age with some men too young to join the Colours using a false name. Others reasons are to avoid a misdemeanor that had been committed. The other reason I have seen appears to be to adopt a more Bitish-sounding name.

I'm sure there are other reasons too.

Regards
David