Able Seaman David Gordon

[eltoro1960]

Hi there

Looking for some help from pals down under please, this man who resided in Newtongrange, Midlothian, Scotland is shown as an Ordinary Seaman on HMAS Australia on his wedding certificate date 14/12/1917. His address is given as 48 Deanpark, Newtongrange.

I am curious how he appears to have ended on an Aussie ship, whilst still apparently residing in Scotland, can anyone assist.

Cheers.

[kevinrowlinson]

Just a thought that he may have been in the RN and been attached to the Australians. Do you know when and where he was born? One possible I thought was http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documen...p;resultcount=6 .

I may be completely barking up the wrong tree.

Kevin

[ionia]

Hi there

Looking for some help from pals down under please, this man who resided in Newtongrange, Midlothian, Scotland is shown as an Ordinary Seaman on HMAS Australia on his wedding certificate date 14/12/1917. His address is given as 48 Deanpark, Newtongrange.

I am curious how he appears to have ended on an Aussie ship, whilst still apparently residing in Scotland, can anyone assist.

Cheers.

There were many RN personnel in RAN ships in WW1 (including most of the senior appointments). The RAN had been established only in 1911.

[eltoro1960]

Thanks for the replies, making sense now, a lack of skilled men.

This man

Name Gordon, David

Official Number: J75458

Place of Birth: Prestonpans, Edinburgh

that you suggested was born in a mining village 5 miles down the road, given that David was also listed as a miner, there's a good chance that this is him, thanks.

[horatio2]

AUSTRALIA, flagship of the RAN, was an INDEFATIGABLE Class Battlecruiser and served in the Grand Fleet 1915-1918. The battlecruisers were based in the Forth so quite handy for a local man. During this time her Captain was Captain Oliver Backhouse RN, who had commanded the 2nd Brigade of the Royal Naval Division at Gallipoli.

By huge coincidence, AUSTRALIA in a bad collision with another 'antipodean', her sister ship HMS NEW ZEALAND in April 1916 and missed the Battle of Jutland.

[eltoro1960]

Thanks for the great information, curious would he have been paid Aussie or Royal Navy rates, I bet there is a fair difference.