Strudwick-the youngest?

[Mark Hone]

After John Condon (about whom of course there has been recent controversy which I don't wish to get into here) is Valentine Joe Strudwick generally accepted as the youngest British soldier to die in the First World War? The various books that I have (including CWGC publications)are very cagey about actually stating this. I am aware that there are of course numerous headstones bearing the wrong age and it is quite possible that a younger soldier than Strudwick may be among them. Interestingly, during research for my tour I have discovered that the great-uncle of one of the boys on the tour, Private R. G. Batchelor of the Welsh Regiment, also buried at Essex Farm, was almost certainly 17 at the time of his death, not 20 as is recorded on his headstone. The family legend is that he had already served 3 years at the time of his death in 1917. Further research on the Medal roll and service record may confirm this.

[Terry Denham]

Perhaps not 'British' but the following was younger..

Pte David ROSS 11322

2nd Regiment, South African Infantry

Died of wounds as a PoW 25.03.18

Age 14 yrs 9 mths

Heudicourt Communal Cemetery, France

[Jonathan Saunders]

Again not British, but I am sure there was also an Australian boy of 14 that died from disease on Gallipoli ... name escapes me.