How were boy soldiers able to enlist in the army?
The two main ways by which boy soldiers enlisted in the army were lying about their age and lying about their names.
In the beginning of the 20th century, most people did not have birth certificates, so it was quite easy for underage soldiers to lie about their age, as long as they looked old enough (at least 18 years old).
Another way boy soldiers joined the army was lying about their names so that their parents could not track them down and demand them to come back home. This later became a problem because their parents were not able to contact them once they had left for war.
In the beginning of the 20th century, most people did not have birth certificates, so it was quite easy for underage soldiers to lie about their age, as long as they looked old enough (at least 18 years old).
Another way boy soldiers joined the army was lying about their names so that their parents could not track them down and demand them to come back home. This later became a problem because their parents were not able to contact them once they had left for war.
The rule of thumb for enlistment appeared to be that anyone who met the requirements of the medical examination could join the army, no matter how old he was. The criteria of the medical examination were a minimum height of 5 feet 3 inches and a minimum chest size of 34 inches.
Moreover, enlistment officers, teachers, and parents encouraged the enlistment of boy soldiers because they believed that their experience in the army, along with the fresh air and the good food of the army, would turn boys into real men. However, none of them predicted that the war would last this long.
Moreover, enlistment officers, teachers, and parents encouraged the enlistment of boy soldiers because they believed that their experience in the army, along with the fresh air and the good food of the army, would turn boys into real men. However, none of them predicted that the war would last this long.