TCD MS 10853 folio 1 recto
JOINING. SEPT. 1ST 1914.
A month elapsed after the outbreak of the War before I realized that it was my duty to join the Army, for, to take such a step was against all my inclinations and upbringing.
I decided to join on Saturday, Aug. 29th. My first thoughts were in favour of joining the Pals Battalion but as Ben and Bob had both joined the 6th (Rifles) Kings Liverpool Regt. I decided to do likewise.
At my first attempt I was turned down because of my eyesight, but on my presenting myself in the evening of the same day, wearing spectacles, I was duly sworn in at 8 p.m.
I signed on for four years foreign service if necessary, and I became one of the 240 men who were to join the 1st Battalion to bring it up to the strength for Foreign Service. The minimum height when I joined was 5’9” and the 240