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Thank you for these answers. I must admit I struggled to read scrub! Not the best of tasks...

Interesting reading about the punishments. Thanks.

Thanks Mabel.

It's been a little while since I was looking at this branch of the family. I hadn't really appreciated how many family members had moved across the river into Cornwall. I think that is worth a bit more digging into that particular link.

My grandfather (and shortly later his two younger brothers) attended the RHS in Greenwich between 1905 and 1908 (aged 11-14). I'm interested to learn a bit more about the school as I am trying to write a brief summary of his time there. I have a copy of the school report on leaving to join the Royal Marine Light Infantry in Plymouth - a route all three brothers followed. I would be interested to know what may be inferred from the entries on the report.

I've read various articles about the school over the years and recently discovered the school magazines that are available from 1907 onwards - this is particularly fortunate to coincide with his time at the school and there was even a picture of him as part of the drum and fife band - the earliest photo I have of him.

My grandfather and his brothers were sons of a sergeant of the RMLI who died suddenly a couple of years after completing 25 years service leaving a family of 7 children with an uncertain future. The entrance register from the National Archives had them entered as orphans which was not true but the family certainly was in a difficult situation.

I notice there were two schools - an upper and lower school which I am not sure whether it relates to a separation between the boys of officer and non-officer fathers, particularly those whose entry was dependent on charity.

The report suggests attainments in school, seamanship, trade (in this case band), gunnery and signals. From what I have heard, my grandfather was a reasonable musician and played a number of instruments and was a member of the ship's band when aboard. I presume this must have started back in Greenwich.

What I have no idea about is the line about the examination place and no in class - where it is entered 4th and standard. I wonder what this refers to? I believe there was an educational standard that was written on the RMLI service record that had a bearing on promotions.

Other entries on the report sound very much in line with service terminology - three good conduct badges, there also seems to be a hierarchy with ranks.

It's interesting to discover that three poor boys from Plymouth should end up at school in Greenwich. It seems an odd turn of events and I do wonder how this all came about. Who would have applied for this? I don't know what schooling was received prior to going to Greenwich but an older brother attended the local National School - I have a headmaster's letter of reference for him to join the Royal Marines at age 13 so would presumably the younger brothers would have gone there.   

It's an interesting part of my grandfather's story and just wonder what additional information I can gather from this time. If there is anyone familiar with the RHS in Greenwich that might be able to point me in the right direction, that would be very much appreciated.

Thanks!

Matt

Thanks Sandra. Very interesting articles. I shall have to investigate further to see if there are any clues about when the incident took place.

I had no idea about the deadly attack described.

Thank you again for finding time to help.

Matt

Thanks for the information. Lots to look into.