Royal Navy - Family History & Genealogy Message Board

Royal Naval Records

KathrynBryant1 — 2013-05-22 17:04:15Z

Hello, I've recently completed some research for my sister's husband. His grandfather served on various ships up to 1909. I have found a Naval Record for him (probably via National Archives online), not 100% sure. Ian now lives in Ireland but is coming to England in June as he wishes to trace his ancestors' movements etc. Can anyone please tell me where the original records would be held? Ian will then visit them in his quest. I will attach the record I have found for him.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Kind regards

Kathryn

Record of service for Frederick William Stageman

mossbren29 — 2013-05-18 23:09:43Z

I believe my late Grandfather was in the Royal Navy and apparently transferred to the Australian Navy. His date of birth was 28.11.1895. Born Fulham, London. I would like to find out more about him and his life, as my brothers and I never met him.

Greenwich Pensioner

mackingen — 2013-05-09 20:21:33Z

I just began researching my husband's family a few months ago and have a few questions about a specific ancestor of his.

Peter Sneddon was born in Lanark, Scotland in 1806. He married in 1850 Elizabeth Currie and they had two sons, James Oswald and Richard. In the 1851 census Peter is listed as a Greenwich out-pensioner and at the time of his death in July 1859 he is an out-pensioner. Elizabeth died March 1860, widow of a pensioner.

I guess my first question would be did the 1841 census include UK citizens who were overseas in the military? I have not been able to locate Peter at all in the census anywhere in the UK.

My next set of questions: Since Peter and Elizabeth both died with minor children would James and Richard have been eligible for some sort of pension through their father's military service? And if so would their guardians have had to have some sort of legal documentation that they were raising the children?

Francis Richard Eggleton

paul_robert_beard — 2013-04-30 10:14:12Z

Francis was married to Frances Mary Stoner, a grand aunt of mine. Their marriage certificate shows that he was a Petty Officer based at The Naval Barracks, Chatham. The marriage was in 1917, when he was aged 41 (born circa 1876). Any information about his naval service would be much appreciated. Thank you for taking the time and trouble to read this message.

Greenwich Hospital Pensioner

our_babs — 2013-04-22 21:19:16Z

I recently got a death cert for my husbands great grandfather - George Henry Boucher died 1907 in Birmingham - but it said he was a journey man carpenter and a Greenwich Hospital special pensioner. I am trying to find what he did to be a "special" pensioner and presume he had to have been in the Royal Navy at some point. Can anyone help please. He was born circa 1838 in Cheltenham GLS and although I cannot trace him at home with family in 1841 he is on the 1851 census aged 14 with his uncle Thomas Boucher in Southwark London and described under occupation as "Outward Bound" so I am wondering if this is about the time he was in the RN?. I have him on all other censuses up to 1901 and he is variously a carpenter/ builder/ cabinet maker etc
I would be grateful for any help / advise with this

Re: Registers of Seamens Services

becksome — 2013-04-22 15:47:15Z

HI Pippa

The doc was from the http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/

Re: HMS Indus, 1861-62

bermarg — 2013-04-19 04:37:38Z

My great grandfather too was a stoker on the Indus.from October 1862 until January 1864. He joined her from HMS Exmouth where he was an AB and left for HMS Prince Consort again as a stoker. So quite possibly they were acquainted with one another.

Royal Marine 1834

BarbaraEdmonds77 — 2013-04-18 17:20:24Z

I have discovered that my Gt Gt Grandfather Jeremiah Speck was a Private in The Royal Marines, based in Plymouth in 1834. Jeremiah was born in Minsterworth, Gloucestershire in abt 1802. He later went back to Gloucester, where he died. I would so appreciate any pointers as to how I can find out more about life at that time in The Royal Marines, and if it's possible to find out more about any records held, which would give me more information.
Many thanks.

Re: Registers of Seamens Services

PippaPain — 2013-04-13 00:37:15Z

Can I ask where you downloaded the pdf from?
Looking for something similar :)

How to find Navy enlistment records, HMS Achille.

PippaPain — 2013-04-13 00:33:05Z

Hi :)
A family member went missing in New Zealand, from the HMS Achille, in around 1930s time...maybe even 1939?
His name was Alfred Walton. Born probably around 1905 in Newcastle Upon Tyne.

Does anybody know of anyways to find records online of enlistment onto this ship?
Thanks.

Devonport and Cambridge Barracks Link

grahambridgeland — 2013-04-11 12:13:55Z

Hello, my g-g-grandfather John Edgar Ward was an Armourer Sergeant at the Gun Wharf Devonport, Plymouth in 1878 when his son Joseph was born. However, on his sons birth certificate it states the registration district as Portsea Isle and the 'When and Where' as 14 March 1878 Cambridge Barracks.

Searching on the web I've found that the Cambridge Barracks, Portsmouth was living accomodation for the military and is now a school but I have no idea as to why the birth would have taken place further along the coast from where the family was based. Did the barracks have a medical centre that would assisted with births. Would welcome any local knowledge or suggestions.

Many thanks
Graham

Re: Registers of Seamens Services

becksome — 2013-04-10 08:51:13Z

Hi 'Infosending'
Hope this works, not used this site before. If it doesn't work then i will try another way
Thanks for your help

http://www.filedropper.com/dennisnavalpapers_2

George Merrett, Lieutenant RN 1800s

twinkletoes_917 — 2013-04-09 17:00:58Z

Hello

I am searching for a Lieutenant George Merrett (or Merritt), Royal Navy, early 1800s. His son, also George Merrett, was born in Hackney, London about 1815. George junior married Matilda Margaret Austin Edwards in Australia in 1844. Matilda was the daughter of Lieutenant John Hampden Edwards, Royal West Indian Rangers. I do not know if George senior himself came to Australia and I have been unable to find a marriage record for him in England. The son's death certificate states mother as unknown.

Through Google, I found a Lieutenant George Merrett on the ship HMS Howe in 1840. I do not know if this is the same man, but it seems promising. However I have had no luck with official documents in the archives. Does anyone else have any idea about this man?

Re: Fleet Air Arm quickie

ianandannie — 2013-03-21 22:01:37Z

Hi Rupert,

My uncle served in the Fleet Air Arm from 1941 to 1946, and I recently went through the process of obtaining his service records.

The information which I received included his personal details, age,address,height,weight , etc etc, as well as his chronological service information. Whilst the information indicated where he was based, there were no details of what activities he actually did.

He was in 897 Squadron and whilst my uncle served on board the aircraft carriers HMS Unicorn and HMS Stalker as part of the allied landings at Salerno, in Southern Italy, the great majority of his active service was land based. It appears he only spent 6months of his 4 1/2 years actually at sea.

I believe the process of obtaining the service records is free, if the person is still living and you obtain his permission.

Let me know if you need any further info.

Ian

Under Age Volunteers

kescooper — 2013-03-21 01:29:01Z

My grandfather served in the Royal Navy during WWI, but I have had no luck looking him up on-line (National Archives). From what I remember, word was he joined under age. Is there another location to look? I have no idea whose id he may have used in order to join, nor do I know what ship he served with. His name was John Pass, b. 3Sep1898 in Melbourne, Derbyshire. He moved to Canada following the war.

Charles Lewis Moore Lt RN -info/pic?

Beckle74 — 2013-03-08 00:58:50Z

Hi all,
I am desparate to locate a photograph of Lt Charles Lewis Moore - officer aboard AE1 submarine which was lost at sea in 1914 enroute from Australia.
He was the younger brother of Admiral Henry Ruthven Moore...

Any help or info is greatly appreciated

Kind regards
Rebecca

Re: Dennis Jennett

alberta24 — 2013-03-01 22:26:36Z

In the piece about Dennis Jennett it only says born circa 1879, this implies that they do not know his age.
Strange that there no other births , marriages or deaths
for a Dennis Jennett that fits with around his birthdate.
If you are able to access prison records 1921/1922 you may find out more about the activist.
Good luck with your search.

Re: Dennis Jennett

becksome — 2013-03-01 22:26:11Z

Hi there 'infosending'

Thank you so much for your reply...I will write my lines when I come back from my holidays...hahahha

On a serious note, I am away from tomorrow for almost 3 weeks, so when I return I will go to the link you sent me(thanks very much) and upload the papers.
Dennnis has been in a lot of trouble, and as you said served time in Leicester prison, and his two children were in The Leicester General Hospital age 3 and 1 if I remember correctly, but it is strange, as I can not find his wife Amelia (molly) Jennet (nee Potter) she has not shown up any where, I did wonder if she was a suffragette, only because, I did read somewhere that the ladies had a lock-in (bowling green street?) in Leicester on the night of the census.

Also reply to 'reberta' I did find the 'who's who' and got really excited until I double checked the date of birth, and found them not to match..but very interesting that I have saved them. There is obviously a link somewhere?

Thank you both again for your time in replying.

Re: Registers of Seamens Services

infosending1 — 2013-03-01 22:25:02Z

That's a fascinating piece of social history, but it doesn't match Dennis Jennett the sailor in question.

He was born in 1882, the activist was born in 1879, although there is no birth registration for the activist in England or Wales, but he might have been born elsewhere.

Also, Dennis the sailor was already serving an unspecified term of imprisonment in Leicester Jail in 1911, which wouldn't of course preclude his getting into more trouble at a later date.

His pugilistic background though, might well have been a factor in his Navy career, because after boys service, he was in almost constant trouble.

Perhaps he got away with throwing his weight around during boys service, and then unsucessfully tried to behave in the same way during adult service. ?

Re: Registers of Seamens Services

alberta24 — 2013-03-01 22:24:09Z

Mandy , do you have articles from the
Whos who of Radical Leicester which has a item on Dennis Jennett as being a member of the Islington Unemployed Committee and protesting in Leicester(it states where his children live) in 1921 Sept/Oct.
He was charged with assaulting a police officer and sentenced to a month in prison having spent 3 months in prison in London.
I see his father was a professional pugalist so perhaps Dennis was a bit of a chip of the old block, LOL.

Registers of Seamens Services

becksome — 2013-03-01 22:23:27Z

Hi There,

I have downloaded a pdf file for Dennis Jennett, husband of my grandaunt.
He is described as a Shipping lad, 194774 aged 18, Brown hair, blue eyes, tattoo’s and signed up for 12 yrs, on 13 April 1900.

The document unfortunately can not be attached here, and I would love to be able to read and understand its contents. Dennis, has a list of 10 ships or places? But some are difficult to read. The dates seem bazaar too, as example 21 April 99 if this is 1899 how can he have joined in 1900? Its so confusing.

If anyone could spare the time to help me unscramble and understand the contents of this, I would be really grateful, as I am trying to put the flesh on the family.
I would have to email the document, unless there is another way of placing it on here? I really don’t mind which.

Dennis does seem to spend some time in the cells to, and some of the remarks made are intriguing.

Thanks for reading this post. Hope it makes sense, what I am asking........

Regards Mandy

Re: Registers of Seamens Services

infosending1 — 2013-03-01 22:23:02Z

His date of birth was 13th April 1882, so he would have been 18 on the 13th April 1900.

At which point he enlisted for mans service, in other words he enlisted as an adult seaman in the British Royal Navy.

Prior to that date he had already been in Royal Naval Service as a boy sailor, during which time he would have received training in preparation for becoming an adult seaman once he reached the age of 18.

Upload your file to www.filedropper.com and then post the file download link which you will see when you upload the file, it's free, quick, and easy.

Then write out, 100 times, in your very best handwriting, the following sentence.

" When I post messages, I must not leave out the most important bits of information, such as, dates of birth. "

United Service Gazette 1870 - anyone who can access records in London

annknight1959 — 2013-02-25 06:08:39Z

Hi - I'm researching allegations relating to Hugh Childers (Admiralty Lord) and Captain Andrew Clarke (Director of Works for the Admiralty) and Antonio Gabrielli (contractor for the Chatham Dockyard extensions) - allegations were published in the United Service Gazette in early 1870 and may relate to impropriety in the handling of contracts for the Chatham dockyard extensions between 1865 and 1870. Allegations may also have referred to the proposed sale of the Deptford dockyards to a Mr Austin (this may have been made on 30 April 1870). I have not been able to find any online records for the USG and while sometimes other newspapers would copy articles from it I have not been able to find the allegations that were made originally in the USG. The House of Commons (England) discussed the allegations in mid-1870 without stating exactly what they were. As I reside in Australia, is there anyone with access to the USG records at the British Library who would be willing to assist in looking for the articles and copying them to me by PDF etc? Please let me know if you can assist, or what extra information you need.

Thank you.

William H Thelwell, Petty Officer

KathrynBryant1 — 2013-02-20 19:26:40Z

Hello am trying to trace a record ie Naval record, if any available of this gentleman. He was born in Stockport in about 1887.

I have him on the 1911 Census as given below:-

Name:

William H Thelwell

Age in 1911:

24

Estimated Birth Year:

abt 1887

Relation to Head:

Able Bodied Seaman (Seaman)

Birth Place:

Brinnington, Stockport

Civil parish:

Mediterranean

County/Island:

Royal Navy

Country:

England

Marital Status:

Single

Registration District Number:

640

ED, institution, or vessel:

Vessels

Piece:

34973

and also

William H Thelwell

Port of Departure:

Montréal, Québec, Canada

Arrival Date:

5 Aug 1922

Port of Arrival:

Liverpool, England

Ports of Voyage:

Quebec

Ship Name:

Montcalm

Search Ship Database:

View the 'Montcalm' in the 'Passenger Ships and Images' database

Shipping Line:

Canadian Pacific Line

Official Number:

145903

Am wondering if there would be a record of William held anywhere, like on National Archives Discovery? Can anyone assist please.

Kind regards

Kathryn

Re: List of Names - Submarine L24 sunk January 1924

JeffH01 — 2013-02-07 00:56:28Z

Just to add to that re additional information.
You'll find the names complete with service numbers at http://www.naval-history.net/xDKCas1924.htm

Re: Colin Tony Cooke REME and Royal Marines during the 2nd world war

JeffH01 — 2013-02-07 00:49:12Z

First off try for his RM records from RN Disclosures if he was discharged from the Marines at the end of the war it's possible he served in a TA Battalion of the REME.

Re: Royal Marines Light Infantry

JeffH01 — 2013-02-07 00:44:46Z

The RMLI were part of the Royal Navy as are today's Royal Marines, so this board is the correct one.

Jeff

Royal Marines Light Infantry

KathrynBryant1 — 2013-02-02 16:46:12Z

Hello, does anyone know where I could post a thread about someone that was in the Royal Marines Light Infantry please.

Kind regards

Kathryn

Re: Admiral Sir Thomas Williams

tonywilliams40 — 2013-01-25 12:16:40Z

Thaanks for this - most helpful.

HMS Royal Oak?

Claudence — 2013-01-24 15:57:12Z

My father served on the Royal Oak 1917/18 and believe it was on this ship when they spent some months in Russia during the reveluion. does anyone have any info on this please. the port was Archangel ( Arkhagelsk ) Claudence

Re: Help searching Royal Navy Records

Jaguar240 — 2013-01-23 21:22:17Z

Thanks for link but I cant find either Denis or John any ideas where else I might try.

Re: Help with information

mtra3 — 2013-01-23 17:49:09Z

thank you for your help

Colin Tony Cooke REME and Royal Marines during the 2nd world war

kremmen1955 — 2013-01-23 13:30:44Z

Hi,

I am trying to find records for my dad. My dad was in Royal Marines during the 2nd world war and I have Nos and unit for that so presumabbly get hold of those records. After the War he was in REME ( Royal electrical and mechanical engineers ) and worked for one or other dept of MOD til he retired. I have been in contact with the Army records office by phone and they can find no trace of him with his date of birth. The online request forms state that the service Nos and units are required but I have no idea of these . Can anyone point me in the right direction?
Thanks

Re: Michael Blackford c1800 - 1885

infosending1 — 2013-01-23 10:39:03Z

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/looking-for-perso...

Re: Admiral Sir Thomas Williams

infosending1 — 2013-01-23 10:31:00Z

Go here...http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/search

and enter...Sir Thomas Williams

into the...With the exact phrase: search box

Re: Help searching Royal Navy Records

infosending1 — 2013-01-23 09:38:18Z

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/royal-naval-seame...

Re: Help with information

infosending1 — 2013-01-23 09:33:39Z

You may be able to get a copy of his service record.

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-defe...

Re: HMS Dragon 1919

infosending1 — 2013-01-23 09:08:00Z

17th October 1919 Ship's Log H.M.S. Dragon

Place: Riga

Person: Died: John Stephen Stroud:

Person: Died: Charles W Broad

Person: Died: Lewis TE Gillingwater

Person: Died: Percy James Almond

Person: Died: George W Lowe

Person: Died: James W Schealt

Person: Boarded: William R Trett

Person: Died: Alfred J Payne

Person: Died: William Laive

Person: Ill: F.S. Williams: --Seriously wounded

Person: Ill: Walter J Norman: --Wounded

Person: Ill: William J Andrews: --Wounded

Person: Ill: Herbert Gilbert: --lightly wounded

Person: Ill: John W Pierce: --lightly wounded

Other: 5:10 shells falling near ship. 5:18 opened fire on shore

Other: 5:25 wieghed - moved east. 2 shells hit ship causing casualties

Other: 5:45 cease Fire. 6:02 stopped. Hands repair damage

Other: Killed in action-9, Wounded-5

****************************************
18th October 1919 Ship's Log H.M.S. Dragon

Place: Riga

Person: Disciplined: W Horne: --reprimand

Person: Disciplined: W Roberts: --reprimand

Person: Disciplined: W Shelton: --reprimand

Person: Mentioned: Prince Of Wales

Other: Towels Missing after visit from HRH Prince of Wales

Person: Left ship: Sub Lt Williams

Person: Left ship: Capt Bray

Person: Boarded: H.R.H. Prince of Wales

Other: Discharged wounded to "Princes Margaret"

Other: committed to the deep 9 ratings KIA Oct. 17th.

***************************************************
http://www.hmsdragon1919.co.uk/24568.html

Re: Reginald (Regnald) Pearce, cooks mate, Chatham

infosending1 — 2013-01-23 08:09:50Z

O.K. PEARCE, Reginald Portbury ( NOT Potbury ) does look like the likeliest candidate.

He was actually born 1891, 28th may 1891 but census dates are often approximations.

He survived WW1 and was an assistant baker in the British Merchant Navy in 1920.

Family address was 42, Aston Street, Cowley St John, Oxford, which is in the Headington/Cowley St John/St Clement/Cowley areas of Oxford.

Father = Samuel born Upton Court Berkshire 1853
Mother = Catherine/Kate born Weymouth Devon 1858/1859

Father was a commercial traveller for a brewery.

Siblings all born in Oxford

Evelyn 1884
Herbert C. 1887 a cabinet maker
Harold S. 1889 a corresponding clerk in a printing works
Dorothy K. 1894

Flotilla of boats crossing the English channel ?, perhaps a part of the raids on Ostend/Dieppe/Zeebrugge. ?

Does any of this ring a bell with his niece.?

Perhaps she may recognise the attached picture. ?

I can't find any records for him after 1920.

Left click the attachment to enlarge it, then right click it to download and save it.

Help searching Royal Navy Records

Jaguar240 — 2013-01-22 21:26:54Z

I'm trying to trace a Denis O Keeffe who was born in Co Cork in 1894 and was active during WWI.
His Brother John was also in Royal Navy but I cant find any information on either.

HMS Marlborough rowing crew 1930 - names

1_johnwil — 2013-01-22 14:19:54Z

Transcript from a photo of the "All Comers Gigs Crew" of HMS Marlborough. Winners of the 3rd BS Regatta, 1930

A.Upjohn/A.Linfield/G.H.Johnson/H.E.Mole/-A.J.Siggs/J.Chamberlain/J.Potter/C.Haviland/
H.D.Smith/E.Galpin/D.G.Best/
Petty Officer V.Lyons (Cox)
Cmdr R.C.Woolerton
Capt.J.C.Hodgson,DSO
Lieut.G.B.Roope
A.E.Blaxill/E.Whiteman/W.Ambrose/C.Friday

I can supply a scanned copy of the photo to anyone with a connection.
There are 5 impressive cups/trophies shown in the photo.

List of Names - Submarine L24 sunk January 1924

1_johnwil — 2013-01-22 11:47:33Z

We have amongst my late father in laws possesions a photo and cutting listing the crew of submarine L24 relating to an incident when it was in collision with HMS Resolution.
Here is a transcript :
SUBMARINE L24 SUNK IN CHANNEL WITH CREW OF 43
Collision in Fog with HMS Resolution After Fleet Had Left Portland - 10 January 1924

LIST OF CREW

Lieut Commander Paul Leathley Eddis
Lieut Donald Howell Barton
Lieut Hugh Donald Nixon Gray MBE
Lieut Donald John Grange Watkinson
Sub Lieut Eric Alfred Stedall
Warrant Engineer John Byron
Chief Petty Officer Elijah Frederick Buck

Petty Officers
William John Wise
John Wilson
Sidney Frank Bennett

Leading Seamen
Harold John Balbeck
Joseph Benjamin Stapleton
William George Dempsey

Able Seamen
George Henry Waterfield
Arthur Reginald Lawley
Alfred John Mead France
Thomas Henry Quantock
Hugh Lamberton Donald
Frederick Charles Ignatius Lough
William John Garrish

Stoker Petty Officer Edward James Hillman
Leading Stoker Edwin George Johnson
Leading Stoker George James Niven Tippen
Acting Leading Stoker Headley Cann

Stoker First Class
Edmund Lyons
Sidney Rowland Ballard
William Walker
Sidney Frank Phillips
Ernest Percy Victor Pound
Bertie Wannell Flanigan
Edward Newins
George William Stewart
Alfred John Grigg
George William Frederick Green

Stoker David William Crumbie

Leading Signalman Harold Fielder Chevis

Signalman Allan Smith

Petty Officer Telegraphist Thomas Milner James Parkhurst
Telegraphist James Mitchell

Chief Engine Room Artificer 2nd Class
Andrew Chalmers Wallace

Engine Room Artificer David Kirwin Fletcher

Engine Room Artificer 2nd Class
Charles Matthew
Percy Lane

PLEASE NOTE : we have no further infomation about any of the crew, but it might help someone locate a 'missing person'.
Good luck everyone!

Re: Reginald (Regnald) Pearce, cooks mate, Chatham

JeffH01 — 2013-01-21 23:40:30Z

There were several occasions during WWI when men and supplies were increased in preparation for a large offensive and of coarse there was constant traffic to and from the ports of France and Belgium.

Anyone who “disappeared” (i.e. missing in action) whilst serving with the Royal Navy (including the Royal Fleet Reserve, Royal Naval Reserve and Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve) during WWI should be recorded on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s web site at http://www.cwgc.org/ however there is no one of that name recorded who died in WWI whilst serving in the Royal Navy or Merchant Navy.

Going back to basics:

PEARCE, Regnald (sic); Single; Male; age 19; Personal Occupation Cook's Mate; Industry or Service R.N.; birth place Oxford Oxford[shire].

Address Royal Naval Barracks, Chatham; Kent.

RG14; Piece: 3961
Registration District: Medway
Sub District: Gillingham
Enumeration District: 33
Parish: Gillingham
County: Kent

The only male Pearce births registered in the town of Oxford Oxfordshire between 1889 –1894 were:

Pearce Thomas Lawrence Mar Qtr 1890; District Oxford; Vol 3a page 847
Pearce Frederick Cyril Sept Qtr 1892; District Oxford; Vol 3a page 852
Pearce Wilfred Jack Jun Qtr 1894; District Oxford; Vol 3a page 827

For the same period the only Reginald Pearce born anywhere in Oxfordshire was:

Pearce Reginald Potbury Jun Qtr 1891; District Headington; Vol 3a page 891

The parish of Headington is only 1 ½ miles from Oxford it’s postal town (source Genuki http://oxf.genuki.weald.org.uk/places/headington/start )

There are 2 registers of service for the name Reginald Potbury Pearce at the National Archives Kew, both have same place and date of birth but different numbers and the prefix of them suggest he changed branches from Stoker to Steward/Cook, both are available online (small fee) at http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/royal-naval-seame... scroll down to search box and to save time search for First name: Reginald p; Last Name: Pearce (all other fields blank).

His record should give his last vessel served on and some explanation of how and when he left the RN e.g. Discharged shore (left the RN); Transferred to Royal Fleet Reserve (to civilian life with reserve commitment); Run (deserted); Discharged Dead (died in service).

********

This may not be relevant to you but there is a Thomas Pearce is listed on the CWGC’s web site who was lost when HMS Defence was sunk in the Battle of Jutland 31 May 1916 (just before the Major offensive on the Somme); born in Falmouth 1889, coincidently he was a Leading Cook’s Mate.

From CWGC’s site

Thomas Pearce; Rank: Leading Cooks Mate; Service No: M/154
Date of Death: 31/05/1916; Age: 26
Regiment/Service: Royal Navy, H.M.S. Defence.
Panel Reference 17.
Plymouth Naval Memorial

Additional Information:
Husband of Armie (sic) Hetty Pearce, of 22, Granby St., Devonport.

Re: Ark Royal c1950

mtra3 — 2013-01-21 19:41:57Z

Thank you for your help

Re: Royal Navy, Ordinary Seaman

JeffH01 — 2013-01-20 22:12:45Z

A single blank page is clearly an error within the NA’s system, otherwise they wouldn’t have had the details to create the index for the piece in the first place.

If they come back and try to claim the only page with that name is blank, tell them there must be more somewhere so check the original files the image was created from – otherwise demand a refund.

Jeff

Re: Royal Navy, Ordinary Seaman

Lesley_55 — 2013-01-20 18:54:56Z

Thanks for the response, Jeff. I did download his records from the National Archives site - only the service record was totally blank. Not hard to read - blank. I've contact the NA to enquire as to why this would be, since I locted my man on the HMS Racoon in 1871.

Reginald (Regnald) Pearce, cooks mate, Chatham

rw2369 — 2013-01-20 00:56:32Z

Hello, Reg, (born 1892, Oxford) was at the Royal Naval barracks, Chatham, in the 1911 England census. Institution or vessel 32-35. His 95 yr old niece seems to have the story straight so far, in that he was a cooks mate, in the navy. The next part is that Reginald dis appeared in an action that involved a flotilla of boats, of all types and sizes, crossing the channel in preparation for a big push. This is in WW1. Does anyone know of an event of this type occurring. I cannot find any record of Reginald, after 1911. Where do I look find out a bit more. I live in Australia, so I am a bit stuck for going to Chatham itself. Cheers, Robert White

Re: Ark Royal c1950

JeffH01 — 2013-01-19 23:26:32Z

Post WWI records are still with the MoD, records can be obtained with restrictions but you'll need his service number to ensure success or you just be donating £30 to HMG.

see http://www.veterans-uk.info/service_records/service_records.... and click on bottom link, then LH side menu for Service records and Subject Access Requests etc.

You could try searching RN medal rolls on Ancestry for him.

Re: Royal Navy, Ordinary Seaman

JeffH01 — 2013-01-19 23:16:01Z

1] Normal enlistment at that time was 12 yrs from age 18

2] The only official entry under 18 was as a boy seaman, from age 15-16; they had to have attained relevant standards of education and competences to be graded boy 1st class by age 17yrs 6 mths or were dismissed the service.

From the dates you gave, that are confirmed from his record index details, he enlisted as a boy seaman aged 15. If you have the same person for the marriage (aged 18) that was young for those days; he would have to inform the authorities about his marriage so as to a lot some of his pay to his wife.

3] Almost all men and boys volunteered for the RN but a few did so as an alternative to being sentenced for some minor crime.

You’ll find his record at http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?ur... downloadable for a small charge. His record should give some explanation of how and when he left the RN e.g. Discharged shore (left the RN); Transferred to Royal Fleet Reserve (to civilian life with reserve commitment); Run (deserted); Discharged Dead (died in service).

Royal Navy, Ordinary Seaman

Lesley_55 — 2013-01-16 19:26:30Z

My relative Herbert George DADDS (born February 1851 Canterbury) joined, as a volunteer, the Royal Navy in October 1866. He married in Kent in 1869. In the 1871 census he's found aboard the HMS Racoon. Then he disappears.

I read that anyone over the age of 18 enlisted for a period of 10 years.

My questions are: (1) what if you were under 18, (2) would you need special permission to marry, and (3) is joining as a volunteer somehow distinct from any other way of "joining" the Navy? Any help is much appreciated.

Regards,

Lesley