Training ships

[laineychr]

OK.. I hope someone may be able to help &  I don't know where to put this question, I have an old photo, my father who has since died thought it was his father Robert Bartram who was born 1896 Middlesex. He said he thought he was a boy sailor, in the photo he would have been about 16years which would have brought us to about 1912. then I have another photo ( they do look similar) (this time I know it is him) during WW1 but in army uniform ( i would have thought he would have served in the navy or marines)
On the other hand I have found out that Robert's father Joseph Bartram (Bertram) born 1855 middlesex was in the workhouse aged 6 years old  in Berwick upon Tweed & 1871 census he is a ships boy staying with his sister in London.
I need help firstly from the photo can anyone tell what year the uniform might be his hat does say Formidable & 2 can anyone tell me what regiment the uniform belongs to in the army photo.
Regards Elaine

[laineychr]

Sorry sorry sorry... I didn't realise how big the second pic was.
Robert is the one on the left
Elaine

[HeartyR]

HMS Formidable was a training ship from 1896 until 1906 when it was sold.

[laineychr]

Thankyou for that HeartyR,

That means Robert if it's him would have been 10 years old when it was sold & if it was Joseph he would have been in between 46 & 56 when the photo was taken
Now i'm more confused than I was before
Regards Elaine

[HeartyR]

http://www.burtonbradstock.org.uk/History/Wrecks%20off%20Burton%20Bradstock/HMS%20Formidable.htm

Try this link for news of HMS Formidable built 1898. Boy sailors I believe could enter service from aged 12

[stanmapstone]

See ROYAL NAVY-BOY SEAMAN SHIPS
http://www.trainingships.royalnavy.co.uk/shipnames.htm

Formidable is not listed as a training ship.
Stan

[Fisherman]

Formidable was the first British battleship to be sunk in WW 1 when she was torpedoed on 1st Jan 1915.

Chris

[behindthefrogs]

There were a series of ships called Formidable

"Formidable" 1777
"Formidable" 1825
"Formidable" 1898
There was also an aircraft carrier launched in 1939.

The second of these was a training ship in Bristol in 1870 1880 and 1890. See:

http://www.pbenyon.plus.com/18-1900/F/F.html

and

http://www.battleships-cruisers.co.uk/formidable_class.htm

David

[laineychr]

Thankyou for all the info, I have been on to the Berwick upon Tweed archives office to see if they have any info on Joseph, as I am asuming that he was sent to a training ship from their workhouse.

As for Robert he would have been 12 years old in 1908 so it is quite possible that the pic is of him & it's also poss that by 1914 he had decided that he didn't like the life on a ship  & when the war started he opted for the army.

I would still like to know if anyone has any Idea what regiment he might have been in in the army photo

Thanks Elaine