Henry Thomas Emptage lied about his age when he enlisted at only 16. He had already lost both his parents and no doubt saw a life in the Army as a way out of poverty and an opportunity for travel and excitement and it may have helped him deal with an very tragic personal life. His career in the army saw him serve in two wars before being called up to serve again at the outbreak of WW1.
George William Emptage
Descended from a long line of mariners, George William Emptage joined the Royal Navy on his 18th birthday. In civilian life he became a postman but when war was declared in 1814, he transferred from the Naval Reserves to active service.
George Emptiage 1521 of St Peter-in-Thanet
George named his wife Eleanor, sons Robert, Thomas and John, daughter Helene, bequeathing livestock to all his children. He left his land and tenements first to his wife, then to son Robert.
Thomas Emptiage 1509 of Minster-in-Thanet.
Was this Thomas, the son of Christina and Michael Emptiach, whose wife was named as Alice by Christina?
John Emptiache 1501 of St Peter-in-Thanet
The name John Emptiach appears as a witness in the wills of Christina Emptiache (widow of Michael) and George (son of Michael and Christina) but, as a witness, no relationship was given. Was this that John?
George William Stone Emptage
Throughout his short life George William Emptage suffered from what we would now describe as learning difficulties, however this didn’t prevent him from enlisting for what turned out to be a very brief military career.