We have 19th century records of three young Packington men taking the King’s Shilling and joining the army around the time of the Napoleonic wars.
Joseph Morley born in Packington in 1792.
Benjamin Walker born in Packington 1794 and
Rice born in Packington 1799.
All were recruited by the 1st Dragoon Guards. This Cavalry of the Line regiment later became the King’s Dragoon Guards. Both Morley and Walker joined in 1812 whilst Rice signed up in 1816.
1812 was a time of war and all regiments would have been proactively recruiting and the Dragoon Guards would have most likely been seeking men with prior experience around horses, so it would makes sense to recruit in rural villages. Recruiting sergeants and drummers travelled the countryside seeking eligible candidates. The sergeant would recount tales of heroism and how life would be so much better. The recruiting sergeant would likely take the potential candidates to the local pub (Bull and Lion?) and promise the recruit a bounty if he signed on. This was usually five times the annual earnings of a farm worker.