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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Free Photo Restoration & Date Old Photographs => Topic started by: DianneReuby on Sunday 08 January 12 14:40 GMT (UK)

Title: Waiter or sailor?
Post by: DianneReuby on Sunday 08 January 12 14:40 GMT (UK)

We recently received this scanned photo of my husband's great-grandfather, born in 1854 in Devon, UK. Census returns show him as a waiter in an inn in London, as a housekeeper, and as a restaurant manager. This certainly doesn't look like the outfit worn in those occupations - the square collar that can be seen at the back and the lanyard make me think of a sailor. Any opinions? (It could be fancy dress, of course!)

Title: Re: Waiter or sailor?
Post by: Winterbloom21 on Sunday 08 January 12 16:47 GMT (UK)

From other photos I've seen, it seems to be fairly similar to 19th century RN sailors uniform, so could be real.     Could he have served for, say 3 years, before he became a waiter etc.?      I mean, did he have the time?     If he was born in 1853, what do the 1871 and 1881 censuses say about him?    It's always possible that even if they both describe him as a waiter, he could have served a few years in between those two censuses, maybe as a naval steward.

Title: Re: Waiter or sailor?
Post by: old rowley on Sunday 08 January 12 17:01 GMT (UK)

The uniform is that of a sailor in the RN. Could this be him in the link below.....

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=6812777&queryType=1&resultcount=4


OR.

Title: Re: Waiter or sailor?
Post by: DianneReuby on Monday 09 January 12 13:39 GMT (UK)

I'd found him as a boy in 1861, and as a waiter in 1881, but 1871 was eluding me! Finally found him today and he was in the navy, a Boy 1st Class on HMS Foudroyant, a gunnery training ship. He was way down in the search results as his given name had been abbreviated to "Willm" so that's why I didn't pick him up sooner. :)

Title: Re: Waiter or sailor?
Post by: Winterbloom21 on Monday 09 January 12 14:12 GMT (UK)

Well done - glad you found him.     

Title: Re: Waiter or sailor?
Post by: crimea1854 on Monday 09 January 12 14:15 GMT (UK)

Hi

There is another record for William available on the National Archives website, this is ADM 139/910  which covers is his pre 1873 service.

If, when you have the records, you see that he served on HMS Rattlesnake (ships No.163) then he received the Ashanti Medal (1873-74).

Martin

Title: Re: Waiter or sailor?
Post by: DianneReuby on Monday 09 January 12 14:21 GMT (UK)

I saw that entry, but I wasn't 100% sure it was him, as the census doesn't give service number. I've got both records now - thanks for pointing me!