One-Legged Man Joins the Army

Forum Member:
Posted 22 November 2006 - 03:25 PM

ONE-LEGGED MAN WHO JOINED THE ARMY

A ONE-LEGGED MAN with a crutch appeared at  a British recruiting office and said he wanted to enlist in the Army. He was accepted. This remarkable experience is now claimed as a record by a  Sunderland ex-serviceman, Mr. John D. Elrick, of Ward Street, Hendon, Sunderland.

Mr Elrick walked into a local recruiting office in March 1916. He had lost his right leg at the age of seven, and was unable to wear an artificial limb. There was some delay before he was accepted for the Army, but at least he was enlisted and actually, for a short time, served in a fighting regiment--the West Yorkshires--before being transferred to the Army Pay Corps. Mr. Elrick was discharged in 1920 with the rank of corporal.


I've just checked NA-MIC and it seems that Cpl. Elrick never served abroad, but are there examples of other men who served with the loss or use of functions that many of us take for granted? I could use my Granddad, who was discharged suffering from shell shock and deafness, but what a bloke John Elrick must have been!

Cheers,

<>

Forum Member:
Posted 22 November 2006 - 03:27 PM

As long as he was of 'Regulation height' 

<>

Forum Member:
Posted 22 November 2006 - 03:47 PM

left, left, left left left........

and he wasn't even 'armless! 

<>

Forum Member:
Posted 22 November 2006 - 06:03 PM

A one armed man, Pete Gray, played major league baseball in WW2. 

<>

Forum Member:
Posted 23 November 2006 - 03:45 AM

Always interested to hear about things like this. My grandad lost his leg in a farming accident in the 1930's but was accepted into the Australian Army during WW2.


<>

Forum Member:
Posted 23 November 2006 - 02:42 PM

and a one armed officer received the dso in ww1, lt col j w b paul, lost his arm through wounds nooitgedacht south africa 13/12/1900 whilst cpl ceylon mtd infantry, dso 1st january 1919, lt col labour corps.

<>

Forum Member:
Posted 26 November 2006 - 09:18 PM

Although he wasn't invited to take part in the regimental arse kicking contest!

<>


Forum Member:
Posted 29 November 2006 - 09:56 AM

If he was court marshalled, he wouldn't have a leg to stand on! 

<>

Forum Member:
Posted 29 November 2006 - 11:41 AM

"Your left leg I like.  I've got nothing against your left leg.  Unfortunately, neither have you."

<>