I've been trying to find out more about my mother's side of the family and have come across Henry (Harry on some documentation) Sherrington, her Great Grandfather. He was born in August 1834 to parents living in Gosport, Hampshire. In most subsequent census returns he is noted as a carpenter/joiner or a similar trade but in 1911 he is recorded as a Naval Pensioner. I can find no trace of Navy service being mentioned anywhere else. Where can I look to find any more information on this?
(A couple of other things might lead to some sort of connection. There is a report of a Henry Sherrington being found guilty of Larceny in 1872 but I'm not sure if this is my relative or someone else. Could he have been sent to the navy to serve his 7 year sentence? Also, his son, Douglas, later served in the navy for several years. Maybe a bit of parental influence?)
Any ideas would be gratefully received as I'm a bit confused. Thanks.