RootsChat.Com
General => The Common Room => Topic started by: laineychr on Sunday 24 February 08 17:49 GMT (UK)
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OK.. I hope someone may be able to help & I don't know where to put this question, I have an old photo, my father who has since died thought it was his father Robert Bartram who was born 1896 Middlesex. He said he thought he was a boy sailor, in the photo he would have been about 16years which would have brought us to about 1912. then I have another photo ( they do look similar) (this time I know it is him) during WW1 but in army uniform ( i would have thought he would have served in the navy or marines)
On the other hand I have found out that Robert's father Joseph Bartram (Bertram) born 1855 middlesex was in the workhouse aged 6 years old in Berwick upon Tweed & 1871 census he is a ships boy staying with his sister in London.
I need help firstly from the photo can anyone tell what year the uniform might be his hat does say Formidable & 2 can anyone tell me what regiment the uniform belongs to in the army photo.
Regards Elaine
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Sorry sorry sorry... I didn't realise how big the second pic was.
Robert is the one on the left
Elaine
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HMS Formidable was a training ship from 1896 until 1906 when it was sold.
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Thankyou for that HeartyR,
That means Robert if it's him would have been 10 years old when it was sold & if it was Joseph he would have been in between 46 & 56 when the photo was taken ???
Now i'm more confused than I was before
Regards Elaine
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http://www.burtonbradstock.org.uk/History/Wrecks%20off%20Burton%20Bradstock/HMS%20Formidable.htm
Try this link for news of HMS Formidable built 1898. Boy sailors I believe could enter service from aged 12
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See ROYAL NAVY-BOY SEAMAN SHIPS
http://www.trainingships.royalnavy.co.uk/shipnames.htm
Formidable is not listed as a training ship.
Stan
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Formidable was the first British battleship to be sunk in WW 1 when she was torpedoed on 1st Jan 1915.
Chris
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There were a series of ships called Formidable
"Formidable" 1777
"Formidable" 1825
"Formidable" 1898
There was also an aircraft carrier launched in 1939.
The second of these was a training ship in Bristol in 1870 1880 and 1890. See:
http://www.pbenyon.plus.com/18-1900/F/F.html
and
http://www.battleships-cruisers.co.uk/formidable_class.htm
David
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Thankyou for all the info, I have been on to the Berwick upon Tweed archives office to see if they have any info on Joseph, as I am asuming that he was sent to a training ship from their workhouse. :(
As for Robert he would have been 12 years old in 1908 so it is quite possible that the pic is of him & it's also poss that by 1914 he had decided that he didn't like the life on a ship ::) & when the war started he opted for the army.
I would still like to know if anyone has any Idea what regiment he might have been in in the army photo
Thanks Elaine
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Try the great war forum site
http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=62111&hl=Formidable
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I would try posting your query in the Armed Forces section here, and also post it in the great war forum site, they are very helpful in answering armed forces queries.
Good luck,
Grothenwell
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Well it has been a while since I have been on here but I thought I would just update.. I actually found that both photo's are of my grandfather Robert..lol on 1911 census he was an " inmate" at Portishead in Somerset..
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Before the storm-damaged TS Formidable was sold, a shore-based school also called HMS Formidable was built.
This became the National Nautical School at Portishead.
Boys were trained in all the necessary skills to become seamen.
In recent years, the school was sold off, and is now apartments!
Called Fedden Village.
See: http://www.childrenshomes.org.uk/PortisheadSchool/