WWI Medical Card for RWR

[ladyflippers]

Guys,

   I can't tell you how delighted I am with all this information you have given me. I had a little cry on the way home thinking about Samuel and so many others like him and their sacrfice. Amazing considering two days ago I didn't even know his name.

    Thank you all so much.

Jen

[Peter J]

A genuine pleasure, Jen.

Warmest regards,

Peter.

[ladyflippers]

It is beginning to look like Samuel Wilkes was an all round action hero! His marriage certificate has 'seaman' down as his profession.

It's a wonder he had any children at all given the amount of time he was away from home 

I have no idea how to progress this latest find. I am assuming that the 'seaman' profession was not associated with the navy but I could be wrong, any ideas how to I can progress this line of investigation?

Regards
Jen

[Peter J]

His marriage certificate has 'seaman' down as his profession...
...any ideas how to I can progress this line of investigation?

Jen,

Can you tell us which year he married, at all?

P.

[ladyflippers]

I certainly can

Samuel Alfred Wilkes (aged 25) was married to Providence Beatrice Beeston (aged 24) on 23rd August 1909 in the parish of Edgbaston, Birmingham.

Thanks in advance 

[Peter J]

Jen,

If it's the right man, then his Navy Service Certificate is available from the NA:

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=7313640&queryType=1&resultcount=1

You can obtain a copy of this record for the princely sum of £3-50 via the link I have inserted above.

The service number recorded has the prefix 'SS'. This indicates that Samuel (if it IS him) was engaged for 'Short Service' (or sometimes thought to be 'Special Service'). Basically, men under this category agreed to serve five initial years at sea, followed at the end of this 'sea-service' by seven further years in reserve, whereby he could return to his regular job in civilian life, but would be attached to a shore base, in case war broke out again and he was needed by the Navy.

Have a look at the link to see if you think it is him, then we can go through it, if you so wish.

All the best,

PJ.

Birth details given as Birmingham, Warwickshire on 02/02/1888.

[ladyflippers]

PJ you are amazing. It IS him, although I didn't have his exact date of birth I can see from the census that he was a hairdresser before becomming a seaman and hairdresser is down as his occupation on his navy record.

You should take this up professionally

[Peter J]

Jen,

That's fantastic - I'm really pleased for you.

I'm sure you will have no problem deciphering the service record, but if you need a hand, just give me a shout.

PM me if necessary, and I'll pass on my email address.

All the best,

Peter.

[Peter J]

Jen,

Looks as though Samuel did his five years sea-service, but was not then placed on reserve due to the fact that he did not pass for Able Seaman - not being engaged in the Navy meant he was free to enlist in the Army (cannot remeber from his Army records when this was - sorry).

Peter.