R.N. Pensioners returning to the colours in August 1914

[Malcolm12hl]

While researching the crew of H.M.S. HAWKE, torpedoed with heavy loss of life in the North Sea by U 9 on 15 October 1914, I came across no fewer than six pensioners (all of whom were lost) who had joined the ship when she completed her wartime complement on 7 August 1914 (she had previously been in commission with the Training Squadron at Queenstown).  These men, who ranged in age from 44 to 54, were all technical tradesmen (an Armourer, a Blacksmith, a Cooper, a C.E.R.A. and two Carpenter's Mates).  The two oldest had been pensioned in 1898 and 1901 respectively, the remainder in 1908-1910.  Their records of service do not seem to record any membership of the Royal Fleet Reserve, so I am not sure if they would have volunteered to return to the colours, or if there was some provision for them to be recalled in the terms of their pensions.

 

I would be grateful for any insights Forum members can provide.  I can provide the names and service numbers of the men involved if anyone wishes to check their registers of service.

[KONDOA]

Check that they had not signed on for a further term of service, this would normally be in the RFR.

[horatio2]

There are numerous examples of former RN and RMLI/RMA men offering themselves for service on the outbreak of the war.

The RFR did not form until abut 1901 so the older men may not have enrolled. However, "Pensioners will not incur any fresh liability by enrolling in Class 'A' of the Reserve. As Pensioners they are already liable to be called upon by the Admiralty to serve in the Fleet in an emergency." [RFR Regulations 1914.]

Also: "In the case of men and boys entered in the Royal Navy in the Seamen and Stoker classes on and after 1st March 1901, one of the conditions of the award of a long service pension will be that the pensioner shall serve in the Royal Fleet Reserve up to the age of 50 years, if his services should be so long required." [KR&AI 1913 Art 1934.]

Edited 3 January , 2019 by horatio2

[Malcolm12hl]

Thank you very much for the information on the Regulations.  There is no indication of membership in the R.F.R. on any of the service records, but the statement on liability for service in an emergency seems unambiguous.  I would imagine that senior specialist ratings were in short supply on mobilisation, and there might have been a special call-up of pensioners with particular qualifications.  it might be interesting to see if there were also pensioner specialists in the crews of other early war losses which had been activated from the reserve fleets, such as the ABOUKIR, CRESSY, HOGUE, BULWARK and FORMIDABLE.  If memory serves there were none on either the GOOD HOPE or the MONMOUTH, but both of these ships were manned very quickly, perhaps before Pensioners became available.