Army records

[Margaret in Burton]

I have found the army record on Ancestry of a great great uncle Samuel Barks.
He joined in 1885 and was taken to the recruiting office by a Police Constable Gregson.
His age is given as 18 years and 8 months but he was 2 years younger than that.
I am sure it's the right person as his father is listed as next of kin.



Should I assume that as he was taken by the police he was therefore in trouble with them and it was decided he needed to join up?

It also says:

He deserted whilst on furlough (temporary leave of absence) on 18 June 1889.

Court of Enquiry assembled at Gibraltar on 10 July 1889
DECLARATION
The court declare that RA/ 51044 Gunner Samuel Barks 27th Battery Eastern Division has been illegally absent since 10pm 18 June 1889 and is still so absent and further that he is deficient of the following articles of clothing and regimental necessaries.

Then there is a long list of stuff.
I assume this means he ran off without basic equipment?

[MargaretMarch]

I wonder if it means he lost or otherwise disposed of the items listed rather than that he left them at base when he ran off. Perhaps that's why he ran off?
Margaret

[Margaret in Burton]

The lists comprises of boots, jacket, great coat, forage cap, shaving stuff and knife and fork. plus some other stuff I can't read. The value of each item is listed.

Doesn't look like they caught him though.