Tom Carey - F2236 RNAS then 202236 RAF

[Allan1892]

Tom was a joiner by trade, he enlisted on the 24 November 1914 and his record (as held in the British Royal Navy Seamen 1899 - 1924) shows that on the 25 November, he was placed in the RNAS. The record shows that his postings were:

Pembroke II -- Air Mech I 'C' -- 25 Nov '14 to 31 Mch '15

President II -- Air Mech 1 'C' -- 1 Apr '15

      "           -- Ldg Mech -- 1 Aug '15

      " (Aberdeen) -- P.O. -- 1 Aug '16 to 31 Mch '18

My understanding of the above is as follows:

1. that Pembroke II was in fact RNAS, Eastchurch, Sheppy, Kent
2. that President II was in fact an accounting base meaning that Tom was actually based somewhere else
3. when he was promoted to Petty Officer, he was still under President II but actually based in Aberdeen

Are my assumptions correct?

His record (as held in the British Royal Air Force, Airmen's Service Records, 1912 - 1939) shows that he was transferred into the newly formed RAF. The record shows that his postings were:

Aberdeen -- Temp (?) RAF Sgt Mech -- 1.4.18

Could someone assist me in deciphering the rest of his postings. I can see that he was promoted to Chief Mechanic on the 2 April 1918. 

I have attached images of the relevant sections of his service records (images courtesy of Find My Past)

[horatio2]

21 hours ago, Allan1892 said:

My understanding of the above is as follows:

1. that Pembroke II was in fact RNAS, Eastchurch, Sheppy, Kent
2. that President II was in fact an accounting base meaning that Tom was actually based somewhere else
3. when he was promoted to Petty Officer, he was still under President II but actually based in Aberdeen

Not quite. He was actually 'on the books' of HMS PEMBROKE III. As I posted a year ago for a similar record:-

"Notwithstanding the entry for HMS PEMBROKE II in Warlow's "Shore Establishments of the Royal Navy", which broadly matches the above statement, a study of the records of men who served at RNAS Eastchurch seems to indicate that they were actually borne on the books of HMS PEMBROKE III. These sub-divisions of the PEMBROKE Pay Office were probably located in the Chatham Barracks and neither of them were actually "at Eastchurch".

The air ratings (then RFC Naval Wing) at Eastchurch were originally (from 1912) borne on the books of HMS ACTAEON at Sheerness. HMS HERMES acted as their parent ship from May to December 1913 and from then until 31 March 1915 the Eastchurch men ((including those deployed to France and Belgium) were borne on the books of HMS PEMBROKE III. On 1 April 1915 they were all transferred onto the books of HMS PRESIDENT II (in central London) along with most other RNAS men."

It can be stated with some certainty that RNAS ratings rarely actually visited the pay offices of their PEMBROKE and PRESIDENT parent ships.

His RAF Muster Roll entry is here:-   http://www.rafmuseumstoryvault.org.uk/archive/7000133874-carey-t   A carpenter by trade (RNAS and RAF).

Edited 27 November , 2021 by horatio2

[horatio2]

The RN Medal Roll shows that he was entitled to (and claimed) the British War Medal only. He did not, therefore, serve outside UK.

[Allan1892]

Many thanks Horatio2

[Airshipped]

Can't quite work out from the scan whether it's referring to Halton or to Hatton in the context of Longside.

The dates are a little unclear for the 1919 period but it's possible that the East Fortune service could coincide with the work in respect of the R34 trans-Atlantic crossing.

Will have a rummage around my ADM/AIR files but for an RNAS Petty Officer or RAF Sergeant Mechanic it's highly unlikely that there'd to be too many mentions, other than perhaps in the context of illness, an incident, or a disciplinary matter.

[horatio2]

I read his move from Longside to East Fortune as 16 November 1919, so post-R.34. I also see  RAF Halton (not Hatton) from 6 June 1919 and on 26 February 1920 for dispersal.

[Allan1892]

Thank you both. May I ask, what exactly were Longside and East Fortune and where were they situated. (apologies but I haven't had many dealings with RNAS / RAF men before)

[horatio2]

Wikipedia is as good a start as any but an interweb search will throw up plenty more.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RNAS_Longside

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_East_Fortune

[Allan1892]

Thank you horatio2 -- my brain obviously wasn't engaged and totally forgot the power of Mr Google!!

[Airshipped]

Allan, Horatio has flagged good sources of information for building a profile of the naval air stations and so a good idea of Tom Carey's service history.

You mentioned the RNAS/RAF as one you haven't had much experience with just yet. Not to make it all doom/gloom but the records are a spaghetti of cross-references that don't always match up. In the pre-database era there were index cards, ledgers and other useful tools. Unfortunately, although the files often contain a reference to orders, regulations and other authorities there are nevertheless shoals of red herrings. In short don't obsess over too many of the references in the margins.

On the RAF/Admiralty returns re the naval air stations and kite balloons with the Grand Fleet there remained many routine returns, e.g. see example from TNA AIR 1/445/15/303 re Periodical Strength Returns. As may be noted, there are admirals and RAF commanders filing returns.

For officers and other ranks there remain massive volumes of material on the ADM and AIR files re transfers from one station to another, but you'd often need to have prior knowledge from the ADM 188 or AIR 79 as to when an chap transferred - as the haystacks are many. Here's an example of some other ranks being transferred.

Alas no sign of your chap in any material to hand within those general dates mentioned.

[Allan1892]

18 hours ago, Airshipped said:

You mentioned the RNAS/RAF as one you haven't had much experience with just yet. Not to make it all doom/gloom but the records are a spaghetti of cross-references that don't always match up. In the pre-database era there were index cards, ledgers and other useful tools. Unfortunately, although the files often contain a reference to orders, regulations and other authorities there are nevertheless shoals of red herrings. In short don't obsess over too many of the references in the margins.

On the RAF/Admiralty returns re the naval air stations and kite balloons with the Grand Fleet there remained many routine returns, e.g. see example from TNA AIR 1/445/15/303 re Periodical Strength Returns. As may be noted, there are admirals and RAF commanders filing returns

Many thanks for the advice. It will assist me in the future as well as for Tom. (I have at least 1 other relative involved with he RNAS)