1911 Occupation Codes - Help Needed

[behindthefrogs]

The classification "not in Navy or Army" would refer to the Royal Navy and not include the merchant navy.  It is not very likely that someone in the marchant navy in those days received a pension, although I could be proved wrong on that one.

In September 1909 the old age pension of between 1s and 5s (5p and 25p) was brought in for anyone earning less than 12s (60p) a week and over the age of 70.  It would seem that in 1911 your GG grandfather would be old enough to be entitled to it.

David

[Rena]

Hi there,

If it's any consolaton to you - none of my merchant mariners are on that website.  Everytime I come across any names on an online database they are usually officers although a couple of 1841 and 1851 census had a number of 17 year old apprentice mariners on board a ship in port.  

I know my mariners were engineers but it seems yours worked on deck in the Navigation Department and I've found a couple of websites which give a sort of job description:-

http://www.maritimeskills.org/careers/merchant_navy/mn_role.htm

http://www.prospects.ac.uk/p/types_of_job/merchant_navy_officer_job_description.jsp

Good hunting

Regards,
Rena

[troymantis]

The classification "not in Navy or Army" would refer to the Royal Navy and not include the merchant navy.  It is not very likely that someone in the marchant navy in those days received a pension, although I could be proved wrong on that one.

Help!  So let me try to understand this, he was not in the Royal Navy, so may have been in the Merchant Navy.  However, a person in the Merchant Navy did not qualify for a pension.

Thank you for trying to help me, but I'm more confused than ever

merseyclyder

[troymantis]

Rena,

Thank you for the websites, I will take a look at them when my headache has gone

merseyclyder

[Rena]

Hi again,

I don't see why your ancestor couldn't have been in both navies.  He might have served in the Royal Navy until his mid 40's (say) and then served as an officer either on a short haul or long haul merchant ship.   There is another option (there always is) he might have started his career in the merchant navy and was seconded into the royal navy during any of the wars we had during the 1800's.    It looks like you need a family story to give you a clue; a photo of a man in a uniform would come in handy wouldn't it.
===
this is too late for your man -
Explanation of Merchant Navy Pension:

The Merchant Navy Officers Pension Fund ("MNOPF") started on 1 January 1938 and for over 60 years has provided generous benefits designed to meet the needs of ship's officers within the many changes in UK pensions law and practice.
==
Royal Navy Pensions:

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=46&j=1


Best of Luck,
Rena

[Gadget]

Hi again

I think Rena's alternatives are good leads 

I noticed that it said

f 541 (Merchant Service; Seamen - Navigating Department).

Could it be that he was involved in piloting ships into harbours? Not sure what class they would have been in then. Also, of course, he could have had a State Pension, as I said earlier.


Gadget

[troymantis]

Thanks Rena and Gadget,

All the help is much appreciated. 

troymantis

[Springbok]

If your ancestor wasn't regularly employed by one shipowner or shipping line, the he would be most unlikely to be on a crew list.

Many mariners were in the "Pool". ie just went along to the docks and waited for a job to turn up.This practise went on well into the 1950's , as it did with Dock workers.

 Could also be coastal shipping or "Deep Sea"

Spring

One small point, if he had been a deck hand, (as opposed to working in the engine room or galley) he would most likely have put "Deck"
To put Navigation , indicates that he could well be one of the crew(not an officer) who would be the chap behind the steering wheel, and who's duties would have been soley on and around the Brldge and Chart Room.

Spring

[troymantis]

Springbok,

You posted after I had thanked Rena and Gadget, so thank you too

troymantis