RootsChat.Com
General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: Brian2009 on Saturday 05 November 11 23:54 GMT (UK)
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Hi
Can anyone idemntify the trade / occupation of this sailor. Born 1889, in Poplar Middlesex, by the name of Willaim Hopkins. Thats all I know and would like to know more.
Thanks
Brian
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http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~pbtyc/RN/Badges/Comms.html
I think its Signalman he has full war service chevrons so should have a record to download online
Ady
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Thank you, much appreciated. On his tabard, it has three lines (over his shoulders), what do they represent?
Brian
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There is a myth that the three lines on the collar represent Nelson's three great victories, but apparently this isn't the case; they are just lines that were decided upon when the naval uniform was properly regularised in the 19th century. Prior to that, sailors wore all sorts of different things.
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Incidentally, where exactly was your relative born in Poplar? My grandfather was born there in 1888 and joined the Royal Navy in 1906. They might have known each other!
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On his left arm he has a good conduct stripe and what looks like a hook above it which would make him a Leading Signalman.
Salty
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Wonder if this is him? RNR also gives Dock Street which is in Poplar cant find a record for him online it may be held at FAAM yeovilton.
You dont have any medals to him? they would have his details on rim
Ady
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Yeovilton might well have stuff on him. I got loads from them on my grandfather and his brother. It's a bit pricey, but well worth it.
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Thanks everyone for your input to my query which Brian kindly put on the site.
It has been very helpful. I must change Williams birth date to 1899 though.
mm45 ....No medals available.
Winterbloom21.....What is Yeovilton?
Thanks again
Best wishes
Ashazoe
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Yeovilton is where all the Naval records are held for the RN
Try this
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/operations-and-support/establishments/naval-bases-and-air-stations/rnas-yeovilton/
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Ashazoe - it's the location of the Fleet Air Arm Museum and all the archives relating to RN NCOs up to 1925 are now kept there. If you want anything later, you have to go to the Ministry of Defence and they will only release them to a spouse or parent for free (difficult if you're researching your grandfather or above!) otherwise it costs £30. I think the fee for the FAAM is about £25, but they give you the whole caboodle, including the list of every ship your relative served on and when.
When I contacted them they were very helpful and actually went out of their way to give me something that wasn't strictly speaking within their criteria. The member of staff there looked up all the Navy Lists up to my grandfather's retirement in 1945 to see his promotion dates and included that information too. I thought that was really nice of them.
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With that extra 10 yrs to play with id revisit the seamans lists on the NA closest fit I can see a lad from Bow but the K Number IIRC is for Stokers branch.
He looks to have 4 years overseas chevrons on so dates of birth is debateable?? 1899 would but him at approx 15 on outbreak of war
Echo the rep of the FAAM Staff they were excellent to me
Ady
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will try all this Thanks Everyone