Oldest soldier to enlist in WWI
- Who
- Robert Frederick Robertson
- What
- 71:000 year(s):day(s)
- Where
- United Kingdom (Southsea)
- When
- 15 September 2020
Age Restriction: Applications for this record title will only be accepted if the applicant is 16 years of age or over.
The oldest soldier to enlist in WWI is quartermaster sergeant Robert Frederick Robertson (UK, b. 12 September 1842), who was 71 years of age when he enlisted in late 1914.
Robert's service records were destroyed in a WW2 bombing raid, however census reports and newspaper articles date his enlistment as late 1914. It is unclear whether this was before or after his 12 September birthday, meaning he may actually have been 72 when he enlisted. He died aged 74 of bronchitis contracted during service, followed by heart failure, which was put down to his "gameness to don the King's uniform." Prior to enlisting in the war, Robert worked as a billiard marker.