Genealogy Chat

Does anyone have any idea as to why a person would be discharged from the army after only 300 days of service during WW2. The records show conduct was excellent but is described as unfit when dismissed although was registered as A1 healthy when originally subscripted. Was only ever based in UK so no overseas service involved.

It could be for 101 reasons.

I recently came across someone who enlisted and lasted 253 days discharged unfit KR 390 (xvi) which is effectively a discharge on medical grounds i.e. whatever the aliment it won’t get better or improve sufficiently for him to be considered fit enough for further service.

On examining the medical records in detail it turns out that he had TB - which only have come to light after/during basic training - he received treatment but the x-ray showed that the TB was in both lobes of the lung and he'd only recover to 50% - which wasn't sufficient. He was discharged unfit.

Unless you can get hold of the detailed medical reports - you may never know the reason.

I think I have read somewhere that 'unfit' was used as a euphemism for homosexual, the army being pretty homophobic in those days.
Eileen