Boys in the English Military: Stanley Davies


Figure 1.--Here we see Stranley in his parade dress uniform. Click on the image to see his riding dress.

We would like to add accounts about actual boys who served in the British military to our site. One such boy was Stanley Davies of the Newcastle Hill Bridgend. We believe he was a Welsh boy, not only because he joined a Welsh regiment, but becaise these photographs were apparently left with a relative in Cardiff. Stanley joined as a bugle boy. In the Welsh Regiment he became a segeant. He apparently served in South Africa during the Bohr War. Unfortunately we do not know a great deal about him. The agent selling these photos reports that he was killed in the War. A HBC reader, however, tells me that there is no reciord in the Commonwealth Wars Graves Registry.

Welsh Boy

We believe he was a Welsh boy, not only because he joined a Welsh regiment, but becaise these photographs were apparently left with a relative in Cardiff.

Military Career

Stanley joined as a bugle boy. In the Welsh Regiment he became a segeant. He apparently served in South Africa during the Boer War. Unfortunately we do not know a great deal about him. The agent selling these photos reports that he was killed in the War. A HBC reader, however, tells me that there is no record in the Commonwealth Wars Graves Registry.

Boer War: British Child Soldiers

The British Army at the time of the Boer War still accepted boys. We do not have much informtion on this yet such as the ages at which boys could enlist. Some of the boys came from afew military schools run rather like orphanages in the 19th century. The boys accepted in the army commonly served as musicians at first, such as drummer boys. There were also buggle boys likeStanley here.


Figure 2.--Here we see Stranley in his 5th South African uniform while still in Britain. Click on the image to see him in South Africa.

Photographs

A set of pictures of Stanley recent came up for sale. Because of the price, we were unable to purchase them. They provided a fascinating glimpse of his militasry service. We were only able to obtain a set of small, low-quality images. Unfortunately we do not have any information about Stanley except for these images.

Uniforms

One photograph sees Stanley in his ceremonial dress (Welsh dragon on his collar) photographed by the E. Lott Nolton studio at Bridgeend (figure 1). Another portrait shows Stanley in his riding dress (click on figure 1). Another portrait shows Stanley in his 5th African uniform before he left for South Africa, presumably for service in the Bohr War (figure 2). He is pictured with his buggle and pistol. The photograph was taken by A.J. Siedle, Queen St. Cardiff and High St. Newport. Stanley another portrait taken while in South Africa with the 5th Africa (click on figure 2). He has the Welsh Dragon on his collar. The portrait was taken by J.C. Munro. Stanley had another portrait taken while on home leave. This portrait was taken by Ernest Carver Maesteg & Bridgeend. The last portrait was taken during World War I somewhere in Macedonia. This photograph was taken Septenver 30, 1917. Stanley is on the left.

Wales

Wales is one of the constituent countries of the United Kingdom. HBC readers may be interested in reading a bit about Wales. In the British military there were regiments formed in Ireland, Scotland and Wales. While the enlisted men were from those countries, often the officers or many of the officers were English.







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Created: 5:54 AM 11/27/2004
Last updated: 6:34 AM 6/23/2005