Gaps in RMLI service records

[GrenPen]

I have come across a hole in a number block for service records of RMLI Chatham men. The service numbers for 16483 to 16519 inclusive are missing. In some cases, these men transferred to/from other Divisions, so not all of their service history is lost. In some cases, these men died, and they are commemorated by the CWGC. For those that were awarded medals, the excellent medal roll by Jack Marshall records their name and related service number.

I did wonder if other gaps similarly exist in the RMLI service records.

[bootneck]

Where have you been looking as I am unsure exactly what you mean.

[horatio2]

This lacuna in the ADM 159 Chatham CS records is known and has no explanation. I am not aware of any other gaps in RMLI ADM 159 records (certainly not in a block like these). Even if the men were transferred in from or out to other divisions there should be Chatham Division records in ADM 159. Fortunately most of the men have attestation packs in the archive of the Fleet Air Arm Museum (National Museum of the Royal Navy).

[GrenPen]

It's good to know this is the only gap in ADM 159. Several of these men do appear on the 1911 Census, including a Zeebrugge fatality whose name escapes me for the moment.

 

[bootneck]

The ‘missing’ Chatham register of service entries (16483-16519) all come from the register (TNA reference: ADM 159/126). You will find that the registers of service have been digitised and are available on Find My Past as Royal Marines 1899-1919. Having unsuccessfully searched this database for the missing numbers I had a look at the entry for CH 16481 Sydney Harcourt Johnson. The top of the page is missing and his divisional number has been added to the sheet lower down. It is a full page and there is a note that it continues at the bottom of the page of CH 16485 (as was standard practice) which I couldn’t. These registers were digitised from microfilms produced by TNA and to the right of the image you can see the following with the top of the page similarly missing.

I would surmise that all the other entries are similarly mutilated and either not filmed and indexed. The only thing I can suggest is that you contact TNA and ask them to produce the original register to check these entries.