Archer Posted 11 October , 2023 Share Posted 11 October , 2023 Dear Forum members Pembroke GP I have done a search of the Forum archives but I cannot find a reference to "Pembroke GP" or even "Pembroke Group." But that seems to be what appears on this service record belonging to a Private soldier in the Chatham Division of the RMLI [extract below]. He was "embarked," which means he was drafted to do duty with a Royal Navy unit. Have any of you seen this before, or have an explanation for this posting? Thank you in advance William Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IPT Posted 11 October , 2023 Share Posted 11 October , 2023 Gunnery school? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
58 Div Mule Posted 11 October , 2023 Share Posted 11 October , 2023 A name and service number would be helpful. Have you looked at qualification on the ADM 159 and matched it with the dates at Pembroke? 58 DM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archer Posted 11 October , 2023 Author Share Posted 11 October , 2023 @58 Div Mule Nineham 18279. I don't see any special qualifications relevant to his posting to "Pembroke GP" :cheers: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horatio2 Posted 11 October , 2023 Share Posted 11 October , 2023 It could be a poorly written GD = General Duties ,or (less common) GS = General Service. Either way it looks like a draft from the Chatham Division RMLI Barracks across to HMS PEMBROKE for general and security duties in the Chatham Royal Naval Barracks. "Embarked" does not always imply a "draft to duty with a Royal Navy unit". It can apply more generally to any draft away from an RMLI Divisional HQ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seaJane Posted 11 October , 2023 Share Posted 11 October , 2023 The letter after the G does not look like the D of Do (for Ditto) in the line above. Nor does it look much like the P of Pembroke. Any capital S elsewhere in the image? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archer Posted 11 October , 2023 Author Share Posted 11 October , 2023 (edited) @horatio2 I always follow your advice, General, but this one has me uneasy. To me it looked strongly like GP, but I could accept GS. I would feel a lot more comfortable if we had some references. It looks weird The name of his commanding officer doesn't appear in the Navy List [see below]. Edited 11 October , 2023 by Archer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archer Posted 12 October , 2023 Author Share Posted 12 October , 2023 @seaJane I did reply to you last night, but my post disappeared, and has not subsequently re-appeared. Quote Any capital S elsewhere in the image? The problem with these wonderful images is that they are running records, filled in or written up by Admiralty clerks over a period of time, which means that the handwriting is not consistent. To my eyes the second letter of the abbreviation looks to be a squishy version of the capital letter at the start of the word "Pembroke" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seaJane Posted 12 October , 2023 Share Posted 12 October , 2023 5 hours ago, Archer said: To my eyes the second letter of the abbreviation looks to be a squishy version of the capital letter at the start of the word "Pembroke" Fair enough! sJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horatio2 Posted 12 October , 2023 Share Posted 12 October , 2023 12 hours ago, Archer said: I would feel a lot more comfortable if we had some references. @Archer I share your frustration! References are hard to come by. A bit out of timescale (1946) but, nevertheless, useful is Admiralty Fleet Order P.114/46 "Abbreviations used in Royal Marine Instructions", Many abbreviations listed are of very long-standing. Also, I find a similar butshorter list in "Tracing Your Royal Marine Ancestors - A Guide for Family Historians" (Brooks and Little, 2008) Appendix 2. The closest 'hit' in both the above references is GD = General duty/General duties. GS = General Service is not listed as specifically RM but it is commonly used in the Naval Service. In most acronyms listed beginning with G it stands for General..... Consistency in the entries made by service record clerks is a quality greatly to be desired but often not to be found. Add on handwriting and ...........here we find ourselves! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archer Posted 12 October , 2023 Author Share Posted 12 October , 2023 (edited) Thank you, General. I was waylaid by "Group" because the Reserve Fleet was held in groups, but clearly Pembroke could never be part of a group. What say you to Commanding Officer C or G Newton? This shows the clerks' ability to read handwriting was as good as ours! There is no officer in the December 1919 Navy List that fits. I had hoped the we could work backwards from the CO to the unit, but I was stymied there as well Thanks again to all who have had a stab at this query. :cheers: William Edited 12 October , 2023 by Archer Missing word Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horatio2 Posted 12 October , 2023 Share Posted 12 October , 2023 13 minutes ago, Archer said: What say you to Commanding Officer C or G Newton? I have beeen unable to trace this officer through Navy Lists or medal rolls. Looks like another clerk-error. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archer Posted 12 October , 2023 Author Share Posted 12 October , 2023 Agreed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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