John Johnson ALNWICK

[Allan1892]

Apologies if this is in the wrong forum.

 

John Johnson Alnwick (born 1879) was in the merchant navy obtaining his 1st Mate certificate in 1905 with the 1939 register showing that he was a retired Mercantile Marine Master.

 

He served in WW1 as a 2nd Lieutenant then Lieutenant with the Royal Engineers. The 1918 absent voters list under 'Description of service, ship etc' records 'W.D. VESSEL P.A.2' ---- can anyone tell me what this stands for? 

[Matlock1418]

1 hour ago, Allan1892 said:

'W.D. VESSEL P.A.2'

OK, as a largely Army man I am really going to have a real flying leap here!!!

 

Could this possibly be "War Department VESSEL Patrol Auxilliary 2" ???

A number of smaller vessels, fishing boats etc., were hired by the Admiralty and served for ports & docks duties and the like - which would sort of suit his Mercantile Marine background [and perhaps link with his wartime RE duties] ???

 

However, you probably would better moving this thread to the 'Sailors, Navies and the War at Sea' one here on GWF

Good luck.

:-) M

 

Edit: Of course the PA could perhaps alternatively refer to a port identification abbreviation [and thus PA2 be their 2nd vessel] - but I haven't a clue as to which port that PA might be! [after all PD was Peterhead and PH was Plymouth]  ??? - so at the moment talking myself back towards my first guess !!!??? :-/

Edited 18 October , 2020 by Matlock1418
added comment on ports

[Allan1892]

Thank you for replying M

 

Yes, perhaps this should be moved. How do I go about doing so?

[Matlock1418]

2 hours ago, Allan1892 said:

Yes, perhaps this should be moved. How do I go about doing so?

Not wholly sure - but think you can from your OP - when editing the Title??

Or

Go to the 3 dots at top right of your OP and choose "Report" - Then the moderators will then be likely to pick up and move for you.

:-) M

[charlie962]

His Medal Index Card says he entered Mesopotamia 19/3/17

 

I believe PA was the indicator for Ambulance Paddlers.

 

There is a detailed history of Inland Water Transport in Mespot available online here

 

Charlie

[charlie962]

Did he get two lots of BWM , as well as the VM and Mercantile Marine ? There are cards for both !

Edited 18 October , 2020 by charlie962

[charlie962]

I presume this is his Army Service file at National Archives but shows 'General List'

 

WO 339/95111

 

And here is his Gazette Commission (Courtesy London Gazette)

Edited 18 October , 2020 by charlie962

[Allan1892]

Thank you both.

 

Charlie - I had noticed that there were two MIC cards, I'm sure that he would have just received one set of medals. Thanks for the LG entry, I found that yesterday afternoon. Thanks for the link about the Inland Water Transport in Mespot.

 

Matlock1418 - I will try your suggestions.

 

Allan

 

[KizmeRD]

Here is a photo of P.A.1 (I feel sure that P.A.2 looked very similar).

MB

[Matlock1418]

3 hours ago, KizmeRD said:

Here is a photo of P.A.1 (I feel sure that P.A.2 looked very similar).

That's a great find.

 

Which lead me to this:

http://www.clydeships.co.uk/view.php?ref=4017

 

So there we are: War Department VESSEL Paddle Ambulance 2 it would seem

[or could that alternatively be Waterways & Docks - as operated by the Royal Engineers?]

:-) M

Edited 19 October , 2020 by Matlock1418
possible alternative interpretation of WD

[Allan1892]

Thank you all,

 

MB - great pic of PA1

 

M - thank you for the link to Clydeships

 

I have attached an image of JJ Alnwick taken in 1907 when he attained his 1st Mate Certificate, never could find one when he was in RE uniform.

[KizmeRD]

Seeing as you liked the first picture of the ambulance steamer on the Clyde, I’ve now found one taken in Mesopotamia.

MB