Royal Navy records (pre WW1)

[ASheriff]

One of my ancestors served in the first World War and on his pension documents it says "Man states he served in Royal Navy".

I can't find any record of this service. Is it possible he was trying to get a bigger pension than he was entitled to or are RN records incomplete?

Any help appreciated.
Thanks.

[jds1949]

The National Archives holds RN records - see here:

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/looking-for-person/royalnavyrating1853-1923.htm?WT.lp=rg-3124

jds1949

[Peter J]

I can't find any record of this service.

Would it be possible to provide us with his name/DOB, etc?

Regards,

Peter.

[Nick29]

I knew that my father served in the Royal Navy during WW1, but I couldn't find his records either.....


.... until it dawned on me that the records are indexed by service date, not DOB !   

[ASheriff]

I can't find any record of this service.

Would it be possible to provide us with his name/DOB, etc?

Regards,

Peter.

I'll give you what I've got..

His name was Samuel Whitworth.
He was a Private in the 2nd Bn., South Lancashire Regiment, number 3557
Died 0n 13 Sep 1918
His death cert in 1918 says Age 43 years.
I have never established his birth record, but I have his death, marriage, ancestors etc.

His WW1 pension records are fascinating (to me anyway) - tells about his wound at Thiepval in 1916, the hospital he went to, what they did to him, and then an entry "Man died 13.9.18". It breaks my heart every time I read it. Just one of the poppies that falls every remembrance day.

I'd love to find out about his Navy service (if it exists), as he sounds like a colourful character. One of the remarks on his pension records is under "discriptive marks" it says "wound marks and numerous tattoing all over body". It also says "Man states he served 12 yrs in Royal Navy".

Any help greatly appreciated.

[Peter J]

Thanks for this ASheriff,

Don't know if anybody else is having trouble, but I don't seem to be able to access the NA's 'Documents Online' page???

I'll keep trying.

PJ

[Peter J]

 ...It also says "Man states he served 12 yrs in Royal Navy".

ASheriff,

Just out of interest, what date did Samuel enlist in the Army?

PJ

[ASheriff]

 ...It also says "Man states he served 12 yrs in Royal Navy".

ASheriff,

Just out of interest, what date did Samuel enlist in the Army?

PJ

I believe it was September 8 1914. His former trade or occupation is given as "miner" so there may have been a gap between his Navy service and his Army misadventure.

[Peter J]

Thanks... funnily enough, I was just looking at his pension record as you posted your last reply.

Having a bit of trouble accessing the pertinent National Archives page for Naval records, but as soon as it becomes available to me, I'll search for his records.

Cheers,

PJ