Even now you can't serve in Afghanistan until you're 18.

I recall my RN boss telling me he joined the Royal Navy at age 13 - I think the school leaving age was 13/14 then.

Men's service starts at age 18 - so if you were 15 like my OH he signed up for 22 years but time served before 18 didn't count. He came out on his 40th having served 24.5 years.

I had 16 year boy entrants serving with me - effectionately known as Baby Sailors!!!

My dad signed up for the Royal Navy when he was 14 or 15. When I was at school, I can remember references to Baby Sailors at HMS Raleigh.

This is interesting http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/FWWboy.htm
And worth reading: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Boy-Soldiers.../dp/0755313038
You could contact Richard van Emden to ask his advice - http://www.richardvanemden.com/ I did a while ago.

I don`t know whether this helps...but my grandad signed up WW1 at 15 ....after just over 12 months he was discharged because they found out his real age ..he said he was 19 when he signed up....read this thread off FTF...it is actually funny ...well it was to me
http://www.familytreeforum.com/showt...t=daniel+oakes

allan