ENLISTED AT 68

Otautau Standard and Wallace County Chronicle, Volume XI, Issue 561, 22 February 1916, Page 7

ENLISTED AT 68

.» . The case of a recruit of 67 who rejoined thle Army as aged 38 is beaten by Sapper Elijah Vaughan, of Leamore, Walsall, who is m his 69th year, and has been invalided to England after being several months at the front with the Royal Engineers, j Vaughan is an old soldier, having served 13 years with the colore He holds medals fox the Egyptian and Burmese campaigns. When war broke out he was working as a miner m one of the pits of the Cannock Chase coalfield. Vaughan says the doctor m the recruiting office (according to the ' Daily Chronicle') eyed him suspiciously when he gave his age as 45, but he had to admit that the would-be recruit was more fit and active than many men on the right side of 40, and he passed him. He went out to France to take part m mining operations, but Avhen he was lined up with others the doctor singled him out as being too old for the firing line. " But I enlisted to do my duty at the front, sir," said the veteran, saluting, "and I don't want to be kept hanging at the back." He pleaded so earnestly that he was allowed to go with his company, and for eeveral months he took part m mining operations. Then age and the hard life got the better of his resolution, but it was only when his officer insisted upon his doing so that he declared himself aick. He returned to England on the ill-fated hospital ship Anglia on the last voyage she made before that m which she met disaster. Sapper Vaughan Avas a great favorite at the front, where he Avas known as " Daddy," and on his 68th birthday he was overwhelmed with presents and good 'wishes. „ .-.