Archibald David Stocking: discharged from army service 1915
Archibald David STOCKING was the twelfth child of Alice and James STOCKING's 16 (or 21) children .His birth was registered in the June quarter of 1894 and he appears on the 1901 census as the seven-year old 'Archie'. I would know nothing more about him if his son had not been in touch and TNA and FindMyPast had not made some WWI records availabe onine; now in his 80s, Archie's son Ronald is seeking his father's 20 (reputed) siblings. I know from Ronald that his mother was a Jane Louise, although I can find no marriage record for them yet. However, there is a birth inde entry for the March quarter of 1923 for a Ronald STOCKING, mother's name CROFTS (Camberwell 1d 1336) which may provide a link.
The British Army WWI Pension Records 1914-1920 (available at FindMyPast.com in association with TNA) give quite a lot of detail about Archie's war service and subsequent discharge. There are seven pages of official forms.
The first is the form completed on Archie's enlistment (Army form E.501: Territorial Force, 4 years' service in the United Kingdom). At the time of the attestation of No. 1042 Archibald David Stocking, Corps: 4th London RA & RFA (17 September 1914), Archie was living at 18 Beechfield Road, Catford SE. The next two pages are for a 'statement of services' and 'military history sheet' which show his total service until 28 May 1915 as 254 days, his character as 'very good' and reason for discharge 'Para 392 iii cc. King's Regulations, not likely to become an efficient soldier on medical grounds'. Discharge was approved at the London 'station' on 2 June 1915. It seems that Archie only ever served in the UK, as the entry against 'campaigns' reads 'Home 17.9.14 to 28.5.15'. The name and address of his next of kin reads: (Father) James Stocking, 18 Beechfield Road, Catford SE.
The Medical Inspection Report that follows gives more personal information about his fitness when enlisted: Archie's age is 20 years and 6 months, his height 5 feet 4 inches and chest measurement 33 1/2 inches. His physical development is described as 'good'. He is considered fit for service in the 4th London (Howitzer) Brigade RFA. Some six months later (March 1915), Army Form B204, the Application for Discharge, confirms his regiment and age (20 years), his height as 5 feet 4 1/2 inches and weight 9 stone 10 lbs. The form was completed by the Medical Inspector of Recruits, Headquarters, Scottish Command, Edinburgh, based at Bedford Barracks, Colinton, Midlothian. The reason for Archie's discharge is "Middle Ear inflammation suppurative. Not due to active service nor military service". The application was counter-signed in April 1915 and he was finally discharged at the end of May. The Medical History form (B.178) adds that Archie's birthplace was Camberwell, London and that his trade or occupation was Heating Engineer.