CO129-469 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1921 [9-12] — Page 479

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The Magistracy,

Hongkong, 25th November, 1921.

Sir,

With reference to a former application from me

to the Colonial Office in which my age was given as 45

I should like to explain that at the time that application was made I was and had for many years past been in doubt as to my exact age, I had on various occasions on returning home from abroad, not very seriously however, referred to the matter but took no steps to verify it.

Whilst serving in Archangel a short time before the above application was sent I received a letter from my mother (since deceased) in which she stated that I had been correct in my supposition end was younger than was supposed.

In endeavouring to recall the circumstances under which the application was submitted, I do not however believe that I was under the impression that I was as much as four years younger than I really was but I believe the fact to be that I inadvertently wrote 45 for 49 the

former being my age when I joined the Army in 1914.

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I had certainly no intention of trying to mis- represent what could always have been verified by any one, but I much regret that I did not myself do so at the time

and that such a mistake should have occurred.

I have, c.,

(3d.) Christopher Willson..

The Hon: Claud Severn, C.M.G.