My grandfather also joined the RN on his 18th birthday in 1906. Seems it was the minimum age they took them in! Dawn (Melbourne Australia - grandparents came here 1924) On Behalf Of Fionnghal Sent: Thursday, 11 February 2010 2:03 AM To: hampshire@rootsweb.com Subject: [HAM] Portsmouth Goal & HMS Duke of Wellington hi folks, my grt grandad Francis Joseph Clarke, joined the navy 24 Mar 1876 - curiously his birthday is also 24 Mar but in 1858.  __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 4855 (20100210) __________ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com