6 SEPTEMBER 1913, Page 13

[To THE EDITOR OD THY "SPECTATOR.1

SIR,—With reference to the letter signed F. E. Bray, which appeared in your last issue, regarding the ages of the men of the Territorial Force, may I be allowed space for a few words? The War Office certainly does publish the ages as given by the lads who join the Territorial Force, but there is a very general belief that no birth certificates are demanded from would-be recruits, and that these lads' statements as to age are accepted without any attempt being made to verify them. If a statement were published by the War Office to the effect that no recruit has been or will be accepted for the Territorial Force without his age being proved, then the ages as published in the Territorial Force returns would be accepted by the

Colonel