Our oldest soldier in the records so far is one Benjamin Firth, born c.1729 in Amble! they give the county as York but it is clearly 'our Amble' and he is being discharged from the 2nd Northumberland Militia, (aged 59) and his discharge is being signed at Alnwick. He also served in the 68th Foot for 22 years. His discharge is in 1788, after 4 years in the Militia, So 1764-1784 in the 68th.
The 68th Foot eventually became the Durham Light Infantry. The 68th deployed to St Vincent during the
1st Carib War, and our man Firth would be there.
Now that is interesting isn't it? Amble Ben in the 1st Carib War?? Oh the history!