RootsChat.Com

Definitely not Royal Navy

RN were never issued with "pea jackets" (coat he is wearing) although we always wished for them rather than the scratchy wool sweaters. To my sources knowledge( stretches back a long time some of the lads are in their 70's ) we were issued with kye (a rich, sweet, warm chocolatey drink served in some navies)and a jumper and told to stamp our feet .....a  lot...

Branch (or trade) badges are worn on the right arm and rating badge on left. The badge shown, to my knowledge was never a branch badge. Specialist badges were worn on lower left arm, such as Diver or specialist communications or marksman.

The crease in the trousers are a mythical anomaly
Some say they were because they sailed 7 seas etc. They were only for one thing. To roll them up when they scrubbed the decks and the Navy used to frown upon it as it was not compliant with QRRN (queens regulations for Royal Navy) but it was often overlooked.(thats from the horses mouth my dad, who joined in 1949 RIP)

Cap tally is entirely correct. your "tiddley" bow was always over the left ear, counting the amount of letters on the name including space, and the middle of the name went with the middle of the cap as it was manufactured in four quarters and a crease was formed where it was sewn together.

Some of my sources are saying possibly the Holyhead to Stranraer Ferry, but at this time haven't come back with evidence to support this

The navy has never had or still does not, have ranks " below decks"
It's important to realise, the Royal Navy is still one of the only armed forces that has this awful class system. Lower deckers were and still aren't allowed to fraternise with Officers. you were literally scum of the earth in those days.
Even today the officers still dress up for evening meal in the wardroom with servants (they are called stewards these days) and 3 or 4 course meals, silver service and brandy and cigars after dinner.
The Captain is NOT allowed into the wardroom, ONLY with permission of the 1st Lieutenant (pronounced LUFFtenant, most definitely not LOOtenant as that is the USA way of saying it). He must dine and take stock of his day, in his own cabin, which has all his own facilities. Bath, shower, day cabin, night cabin. He also has his own chef and own steward.
The RN still has these wacky traditions carrying on from many a year gone by.

Ratings are split into groups themselves such as junior (Ord,AB, Leading) and Junior Non Commissioned Officers JNCO(Petty, Chief and WO)
its an age old class system which probably will end up dying out when the military become more and more politically correct

This is just a little info for you
Below decks means literally, the lower rates.
Below officer RANK, everyone is a RATING

Those are the two descriptive ways.
Anyone from Junior right up to Warrant Officer or WO, are ratings
Junior
Ordinary
Able
Leading
Petty Officer
Chief Petty Officer
Warrant Officer

Above this the officers are Commissioned and they are ranked

In the 1700's they were different again these were a Status

They were
Servant
Seaman
Petty officer
Standing officer
Cockpit mate
Cockpit officer
Warrant officer
and above all those Commissioned officer

And in amongst all those were their position

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Navy_ranks,_rates,_and_uniforms_of_the_18th_and_19th_centuries

Other that the note on his demobilization, do you have any direct evidence he was actually in the RAF?
Edit: I wonder who was working out his age in 1928 at the bottom of demobilization image.

quite a few photographs of him as a Staff Sgt in Singapore and Egypt. he was how can we say, not accepted back into the family well when he came back. or as the mother in law put it, "im telling you thats the chinese girl, Anna Mae Wong or whatever her name is"......followed by some expletives etc.
Turns out he "may" have gotten involved with a lady of Singaporean origination whilst serving out there. so the feelings were strong and the pictures of him out there are verified by her as her Father in law. Unfortunately my Father in law died some time ago so cannot verify any further as he was an only child.

We have a picture of him dancing with the said "anna Mae " whilst in mess dress with medals. We know from records that he had WW1 standard medals but we are struggling with RAF Records as these are after 1920 and subject to the 100 year laws? not only that there are more than 2 medals on show but are far too small to pick out what they are

we can try and get his records, but we are on a dwindling line not knowing his service number.
Its not making it easy so I know his station in Singapore so may try and back track if possible.
I seem to be going round in circles so may take stock of what I know and follow those leads, but by god, miss marple would have a run for her money on this one  haha

Yes I have, and they don't seem to come up with much.
None of the records match his name, DOB or his attestation date.
His army demob certificate states he re-enlisted in 1920 and all records on FindMyPast direct an earlier date.
Some of them in 1916 which baffles me as the RAF wasn't formed until 1918

I went through AIR78 and managed to find about 15 entries under his name. But there again this isn't conclusive as not all the records are complete I am led to believe.

As I am new to the hobby, it is becoming slightly frustrating, however patience is a virtue seeing some on here have been doing it for over 30 years and still searching.

I recently found TWO naval writers made an incorrect entry on my uncles service medal records so it goes to show even military can get it wrong

Thanks all

You would think that with the name "George Carruthers" it wouldn't be that hard to find information. However his service information is proving elusive.

I don't want to waste 30 quid not knowing I have the right man and tracing his service number is proving tough to do. I know where he was based on some occasions even have a fair idea where he died, but as far as his records go I am, at my stage of genealogy ...stumped of where to go next!

I thought of back tracing him if that's possible. I know where he was based in Singapore, so I have teamed up on an RAF site and am waiting to see if anyone can help. Other than that has anyone any other ideas where to point next?