Reading Royal Navy records

[Colin Bull]

I have an ancestor who joined the RN in Dec 1878 and enlisted for 10 years, his record shows under the column 'Character' a number of VGoods (this I understand) but also a number of what appears to be 'TOnly' - any clues please.

Then his record ends on the 3 June 1880 and in the column 'If Discharged etc' it states "Books closed per A.O. - any clues please.

Regards

Colin

[Uplands]

Colin, perhaps you could scan the documents and post us a copy?

Bob.

[Colin Bull]

Hi Bob

Info attached, I will be interested in your thoughts.

Regards

Colin

[crimea1854]

Colin

I think you will find that it is F(air) Only

Martin

[Uplands]

Through the World ships naval forum I have so far acquired the following, if I learn any more I will keep you posted.

I believe that T only refers to "borne for training only and not assessed".
It usually refers to short periods of service on any ship or shore base, where his Divisional Officer would not get to know him sufficiently to remark on his Character and Efficiency.
Book closed as per AO, could mean his service was curtailed as per Admiralty Order as he had only completed around 4 years of service and was still an Ordinary Seaman, when he had signed on for 10 years. There is only half of the page to this record and there may be an entry at the bottom of it which would give an explanation for his premature discharge.
It may be worth posting this record in the main Forum, where someone may be able to add further comments.


Jim
  Regards,  Bob.

[Uplands]

Colin, have a look at these two sites.
They should explain everything especially the second one. Here you will find William Chatting.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Juno_%281844%29

http://www.memorials.inportsmouth.co.uk/churches/st_anns/atalanta.htm#names

Regards, Bob.

[Colin Bull]

Brilliant Bob! - Well not for William it wasn't! many thanks for your input, but now I have another for you....please.

George Chatting (record attached) enlisted in RN for 12 years during 1899 but after 6 years his record quotes "Shore Purchase for RFR" I guess this is Royal Fleet Reserve? elsewhere on his record it says 'Joined R.F.R.C.B. - (to serve to 9.10.1911)' which then completes his 12 years, and later it say's 'Time expired abroad'.

So did he continue to serve his country? please explain if you can. Also I note that he served three periods of 14 days in the cells - are there records available that will describe the 'error of his ways'?

Regards

Colin

[km1971]

Hi Colin

Here is a good link to the RFR - http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~pbtyc/RFR/RFR.html

So he purchased his discharge from full-time service with the RN to that equivalent to an army reservist. Presumably this was cheaper than a full 'discharge by purchase'.

CB = Class B, for those who have served five years with the fleet.

Ken