Royal Naval Division

[nhclark]

I have the service record of a man who served in the Royal Naval Division during WW1.

Frederick Watcham (No. London Z/3548) enlisted on 22/10/15 and was rated an O.S. On 22/1/16 he became an A.B.

His record reads:

30/10/15. Attached to 4th Battalion, Z/1005.

1/2/16. Return No. 303. Misc. Batt. QD/405.

15/2/16. Drafted from Sea Service Coy (405QD) to Portsmouth.

16/2/16. Enrolment Form sent to A.G.9.

1/12/19. W.G. Cert to A.G.9.

Can anyone tell me what this all means? Did he see action, or did he remain in the U.K.? I shall be grateful for any help.

Thank you.

Aussienoel

[horatio2]

This record shows that he did NOT serve in the RND. After enlistment he would have been drafted to Crystal Palace for initial training, which he did there with the the 4th [Training] Battalion under Ship's Book [Pay] No. Z/1005. Thereafter he was sent to a Miscellaneous Bn at Crystal Palace, clearly earmarked for Sea Service. After Feb 1916 he drops off the books of the Crystal Palace. His papers were sent to the Admin department in 1916, followed by his War Gratuity Certificate in 1919.

Are these all the entries on his record card? You may (or may not) find more among his RNVR enrolment papers at the Fleet Air Arm Museum.

Hope this helps.

H2

[John Morcombe]

His sea-service record can be found in ADM/337 at Kew. This will fill in all the later service.