Royal Naval Reserve Division

[boeta86]

I'm wondering if anyone knew what the age limit was for the Royal Naval Reserve Division?

 

I'm researching a fellow, David Albert Stephens, who on his enrolment form states his DOB was 16 June 1880, which would have made him 34 years old when he joined them in April 1915.

Yet in the 1911 census, it states he was 33 years old (suggesting his DOB was 1878). 

 

Is this a genuine mistake by the authorities or did he deliberately lie about his age in one of the cases? If there was an age limit of 35 for the RNVR then this might be plausible, but 35 seems quite young. Can anyone enlighten me?

 

Some extra info: Stephens was at HMS Victory Royal Naval Barracks, Portsmouth (but only for a day according to his enrolment form), and was then given a stoker's role on board HMS Invincible. He died at the battle of Jutland in May 1916 when the Invincible was hit and sunk. His card notes he was 5'6'' and had a 35 inch chest.

[horatio2]

1 hour ago, boeta86 said:

Is this a genuine mistake by the authorities or did he deliberately lie about his age in one of the cases?

No way of telling unless you have his birth certificate. He swore his d.o.b. before a magistrate on enrolling in the RNVR. Who knows who gave the census d.o.b.?

38 was the age limit advertised for the Royal Naval Division (N.B. not "Royal Naval Reserve Division").

His rating was Able Seaman (AB) RNVR, not Stoker. Stoker rating did not exist in the RNVR, only RNR and RN.

Edited 22 January , 2019 by horatio2

[little bob]

From Royal Naval Division record for David.  Wales Z/825 (Dev) Date of birth 16/6/1880. Date of entry 21/4/1915. Occupation Stoker in an Iron Works. 1/5/1915 5th Battalion. 16/8/1915 drafted to Portsmouth for duty with the Grand Fleet.

 

Bob

[boeta86]

2 hours ago, horatio2 said:

No way of telling unless you have his birth certificate. He swore his d.o.b. before a magistrate on enrolling in the RNVR. Who knows who gave the census d.o.b.?

38 was the age limit advertised for the Royal Naval Division (N.B. not "Royal Naval Reserve Division").

His rating was Able Seaman (AB) RNVR, not Stoker. Stoker rating did not exist in the RNVR, only RNR and RN.

 

1 hour ago, little bob said:

From Royal Naval Division record for David.  Wales Z/825 (Dev) Date of birth 16/6/1880. Date of entry 21/4/1915. Occupation Stoker in an Iron Works. 1/5/1915 5th Battalion. 16/8/1915 drafted to Portsmouth for duty with the Grand Fleet.

 

Bob

Thank you both. Very helpful information. Is there any way of knowing what role he might have had on board the Invincible?

 

Here is his enrolment card:

 

[horatio2]

42 minutes ago, boeta86 said:

Is there any way of knowing what role he might have had on board the Invincible?

Other than employment as a seaman (which might include gun's crew), there is no way of telling.