RootsChat.Com

General => Armed Forces => World War One => Topic started by: wildgoose on Friday 23 December 16 09:02 GMT (UK)

Title: Royal Navy service records
Post by: wildgoose on Friday 23 December 16 09:02 GMT (UK)

Trying to track down the RN service record of Charles Thomas Duncan b.1883 Australia.  Served for 12 years from c1898-1917. Saw service in China & Africa.  In 1917 enlisted in the AIF  as a Private soldier.

Any help appreciated ;D

Dave

Title: Re: Royal Navy service records
Post by: ShaunJ on Friday 23 December 16 09:46 GMT (UK)

There's a Navy record for Thomas Charles Duncan, stated birthdate 14 June 1880, stated birthplace London. Signed on for 12 years in June 1899

He's the right height (5'4"), right eye colour (blue) and had tattoos on both forearms ("Hands across the sea" and "Faith, Hope & Charity").

Your man's AIF record suggests a birthdate in June/July 1882 but he could have added a couple of years on to enlist in the Navy.

You can view the navy record on Ancestry or download it from the National Archives http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D6790186

Title: Royal Navy service records
Post by: wildgoose on Friday 23 December 16 10:40 GMT (UK)

many thanks. Interestingly he transfers from the RN to join the AIF in 1917.  The transport ship on which he travelled to England is torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel.  All 1700 Australian soldiers and crew on board are rescued.  He marries an English girl later in 1917.

Dave

PS I have just checked this record on Ancestry.  And it states Dismissal Approved by C in C Australia after 90 days HL for "indecent conduct".  Do you know what indecent conduct constituted in the RN of the day.

Title: Re: Royal Navy service records
Post by: k.isard on Wednesday 08 March 17 16:13 GMT (UK)

Hi I'm wondering if anyone can help, I'm trying to research the naval record of Charles isard born 1888, believed to have enlisted 1905 if anyone can help or point me in the right direction, I would appreciate it.
Thanks in advance

Title: Re: Royal Navy service records
Post by: ShaunJ on Wednesday 08 March 17 16:32 GMT (UK)

Charles Isard's naval record is viewable on both FindMyPast and Ancestry. Alternatively you can get it directly from National Archives for £3.45. http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7071754

Title: Re: Royal Navy service records
Post by: k.isard on Wednesday 08 March 17 16:52 GMT (UK)

Thanks for the help Shaun j I'll have a look

Title: Re: Royal Navy service records
Post by: MaxD on Wednesday 08 March 17 17:01 GMT (UK)

Wildgoose - the record which has the note about dismissal for indecent conduct is for Thomas Charles Duncan born London 14 June 1880 who served 1899-1909 so not the man you described in your first post.

There is one Charles Thomas Duncan record for an Engineer Sub Lieutenant  with a seniority date of Feb 1917 who served until Oct 1918 so not him.

Have you located his AIF record?

maxD