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Note:
Census 1901: In jail at age 12
Joseph William Thomas Rodway alias Fred Williams.
An extract from his Military Record:
Joseph was born in Hampshire in 1889.
Joseph appears to have enlisted in the Marines in 1903 at the ageof 14 1/2.
On 14th May 1906, in Liverpool, Joseph (then 17) enlisted in the Army(under the alias Fred Williams) giving his age as 18 years and 2 months,and stating that he had no previous military service. He was signedup for the King's Royal Rifle Corps., regiment number 7030 and postedat Winchester.
He was described as having a fresh complexion, brown hair, hazel eyesand with a scar on his left shoulder blade.
On enlisting his statistics were:
Height 5ft 6¼ inches
124 lbs
Girth when fully expanded 34½ inches
Range of expansion 2 ½ inches
After 6 months service and a gymnastic course his new statistics were:
Height 5ft 7¼ inches (an increase of 1 inch)
130 lbs (an increase of 6 pounds)
Girth when fully expanded 35 inches (an increase of ½ inch)
Range of expansion 1 inch
On 27th June 1906 was arrested and he was in confinement. He was charged with "Fraudulent Enlistment". All prior service was forfeited. He was sent to Aldershot from 28th August 1906 until 28th September 1906.
On 29th September 1906 Thomas was posted to Egypt until 16th July1907.
Whilst in Egypt he was arrested again. This time he was charged with 1) being absent without leave and 2) neglect of his clothing and regimental necessaries. He was sentenced to 28 days confinement with stoppages.
12th January 1907 he was released from confinement and returned to duty.
15th February 1907 Thomas was marked as absent. He was charged with desertion and neglect of his clothing and regimental necessaries.This time he was sentenced to 56 days confinement with stoppages.
During 17th July 1907 and 12th February 1908 Thomas was on recordas being at home (UK). During this period he was in more troubleand "did unlawfully secrete himself and go to sea in the ship Egyptian Prince without the consent of any person entitled to give that consent". He was sentenced to 14 days.
On 1st August 1907 Thomas was apprehended in Salford and was confined, awaiting trial for desertion. He was sentenced to 84 days.
13th February 1908 Thomas was posted to Crete until 18th January 1909. Whilst in Crete he was diagnosed with Pyrexia which was said to benon-malarial. He spent 10 days in hospital.
Thomas was posted to Malta on 19th January 1909 until 11th November1910. 1st April 1910 Thomas was arrested. He was charged with stealing goods the property of a comrade. He was found guilty and sentencedto 112 days.
On 24th July 1909 Thomas was diagnosed with severe Pappataci and spent11 days in hospital. He spent another 26 days in hospital from 23rd September until 18th October with an infectious disease, possibly Measles.
His next posting was India from 12th November 1910 until 5th February1914. He spent 2 days in hospital with a 'fracture to the left metacarpalthumb'. It was described as "uncomplicated".
On 1st March 1912 Thomas was charged with 1) striking a superior officer2) resisting an escort whose duty it was to have him in charge. He was found guilty and sentenced to 140 days.
On 30th April 1913 Thomas was arrested yet again and charged with1) drunkenness 2) striking his superior officer 3) striking his superior officer, being in the execution of his office and 4) neglecting his clothing and regimental necessaries. He was found guilty on all charges. He spent another 6 months in confinement. Thomas returned home on 6th February 1914.
10th February 1914 Thomas was discharged from the army for misconduct. His character was described as "very bad"!
On the 15th August 1914 Thomas re-enlisted in London with the Royal Garrison Artillery, regiment number 42077. He joined at Plymouth on 16th August 1914.
23rd March 1915 Thomas went Absent Without Leave.
On 10th April 1915 Thomas was discharged once again for misconduct!!!
He travelled to the USA from Canada and on 14 May 1926 Thomas was deported from the USA.
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