Hi listers Could anyone give me more information on the meaning of the term militia recruit? While trawling the 1881 census in Ely, Albert Loates (not of direct ancestry) was listed in Bernard Street as such. He was back with his family by 1991 and I'm just curious. Why Ely? What did he have to do? Was it a service like the army as we know it or some kind of clandestine movement? Many thanks Geoff Loates

Hi, Geoff ! It certainly was NOT clandestine ! - I suppose the nearest equivalent nowadays would be the Territorial Army ? - and let's face it some of them have been out in places like Iraq ! It would not just have been in Ely - there were militia units all over the country ! I hope this helps ? Roger. ---------------------- On 14 Feb 2007, at 14:36, Geoff wrote: > Hi listers > Could anyone give me more information on the meaning > of the term militia recruit? > While trawling the 1881 census in Ely, Albert Loates (not > of direct ancestry) was listed in Bernard Street as such. > He was back with his family by 1991 (1891 ?) and I'm just > curious. > Why Ely? What did he have to do? > Was it a service like the army as we know it or some kind > of clandestine movement? > Many thanks Geoff Loates >