Royal Marine Light Infantry Plymouth Division

[overlandermatt]

I have an interest in some family members over 3 generations that served in the Royal Marines from the 1830s to 1930s in Plymouth.

I recently came across the photo below from 1895 showing the Plymouth Division formed up in Devonport. I wonder what the background is to this and probably have a load of questions relating to this era. My great grandfather would have been a sergeant at that time and I wonder if he would have been present that day.

Does anyone have any knowledge on this subject or could direct me to another resource?

Thanks in advance,

Matt

[shanreagh]

Here are some links about the Royal Marines base for you to look at.  Thye might give you ideas for other searching.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stonehouse_Barracks

https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/sites/default/files/EasternKingsRedoubtBoundaryInformation.pdf

https://www.olddevonport.uk/Royal%20Navy%20in%20Old%20Devonport-Royal%20Naval%20Barracks-HMS%20Vivid-Drill%20Shed.htm

Re this last one I wonder if this was taken after the extension in 1907.  To me it looks at bit like the background in your photograph.

My suggestion is that you ask the wonders/wonderful photograph restorers on the Rootschat Photographic Restorers board to work their magic as there seems to be a bit of detail in the background that might be useful.

[overlandermatt]

Thanks Shanreagh.

Interesting links there. Do have a Plymouth interest? I have an awful lot of Plymouth-based history to research and am interested to find some local resources if you know of any.

I was lucky enough to have a short tour around the barracks recently. That's where the 1895 photo was sourced and we were able to discover a few more connections with the ancestors being investigated.

Thanks again.

[PAK]

I am researching a relative who enlisted in the RMLI Plymouth Division in 1897 and served in the Second Boer War, but can't find any record of his service after enlistment. Sorry to butt in on this thread but I wonder if you have found any useful sources?

[overlandermatt]

Hi PAK.

No worries joining the thread!

A name and maybe a bit more information could be helpful as there will be lots of people reading this who know where to look.

I have always found the attestation packs to be really helpful when researching my RM ancestors.

You might also find he has a service record - which is a one page document summarising his time in the marines. I forget when these documents started.

The link below takes you to the National Archives for the attestation packs. Enter a name and date range then you will hopefully identify your man. You have to pay to get the records - there's a initial search and the if they find anything you pay for copying. There's quite a lot of detail - we'll worth checking out.

https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C1866

[PAK]

Hi Matt

An initial quick thanks. I will follow the link that you sent to me and reply again if anything comes to light.
The person concerned was born Ralph Edward Kent and baptised as such on 26.10.79 at Keele, Staffordshire. However, he enlisted on 6.2.97 as "Ralph Edward Douglas Dawson Kent" and although he dropped the "Douglas" later, was known and recorded for the rest of his life as Ralph Edward Dawson-Kent (sometimes hyphenated, sometimes not). There are several other questions about his subsequent colourful life but I will probably start a new topic for them, rather than clutter up yours.

Best wishes and thanks again

[ShaunJ]

Re Ralph Edward Douglas Dawson Kent - do you have this record?

https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7782751

It looks like he was discharged from the RMLI in 1898 for misconduct.

[Ayashi]

I can't help, but my great-great-grandfather was also here at that time 
1882-1916- he served in the Sudan conflict. I found his service records in the National Archives- before that I had no idea he ever left the UK!

[PAK]

Thanks for further replies, and apologies for my late response.
Yes I have seen the military record showing that he deserted and was then dismissed for gross misconduct in May 1898.
But the next few years are mysterious. Despite his apparent dismissal, his obituary claims that he served in the South African War, his children are said to have been born in 1900 and 1903 but the locations are unknown, and he is shown on regimental pay lists based in Kingston, Ontario between 1905 and 1908.
On 26.3.08 Ralph Edward Dawson Kent is shown as the sole passenger (recorded as “soldier”) aboard a cargo ship bound for Montevideo from Barry in South Wales. to Montevideo. But also in 1908 (exact date not shown) the London Gazette shows him (as Captain R E D Kent) resigning from the 2nd Cadet Battalion, Queens Royal West Surrey Regt. One would assume that was after the trip to South America. But then he was married in Santiago, Chile in 1911.
I'm curious about these timings, but my main concern is to try to find birth records or his son and daughter - showing location, and mother.
Complicated, isn't it. But that's why I turned to Rootschat!