thanks does this infer that he held a commission? rosie ----- Original Message ----- From: "Peter Thomas" <pmthomas@bigpond.com> To: "'Rosalee'" <rosaleeshaw@ozemail.com.au>; <AUS-MILITARY-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, March 29, 2006 5:26 PM Subject: RE: "Discharge by Purchase" > > In times long gone, once a soldier enlisted, he was expected to serve > the full term for which he enlisted. He could not "resign" by giving > notice, etc. In order to secure an early discharge, he could pay for > the privilege. > > Alternatively, he might try for a dishonourable discharge, but that > often carried the risk of prison. > > Sorry, but I don't know when "Discharge by Purchase" became obsolete. > > Officers could buy & sell their commissions. That came to an end after > the Crimean War. > > Peter THOMAS > Darwin, AUSTRALIA > <pmthomas@bigpond.com> > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Rosalee [mailto:rosaleeshaw@ozemail.com.au] > Sent: Wednesday, 29 March 2006 6:21 AM > To: AUS-MILITARY-L@rootsweb.com > Subject: "Discharge by Purchase" > > > I have an ancestor who was in the 28th Regiment of Foot (North > Gloucestershire) and i have found a reference to his discharge which > says > "discharge by purchase" > > can anyone tell me what this means please? > > rosie > > ______________________________