brd888 Posted 29 November , 2007 Share Posted 29 November , 2007 Hi, I am reseaching my great-grandfather at the moment. I have located his Royal Navy Service Record. He joined age 19 in 1895 and served on the Victory I and Victory II (training) then was on HMS Ramillies for about a year. It then appears he was kicked out in Malta. However he died on the HMS Bulwark in 1914. This is not on his service record. I guess he re-enlisted at the outbreak of war age 38. Is this likely and why isn't this 2nd period of service on the Record? hanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Johnson Posted 29 November , 2007 Share Posted 29 November , 2007 What name did he serve under? Use of an alias to hide his previous service would mean a separate record. A spelling mistake might cause the same error. There is also the possibility that he was R.N.R. or R.N.V.R. - their records aren't online. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brd888 Posted 30 November , 2007 Author Share Posted 30 November , 2007 Hello, Thanks for replying. No, he is listed on CWGC with his "real" name, John May. His record at national archives holds service from 1895-1898. CWGC lists him as being on HMS Bulwark on the fateful morning it was destroyed - this is confirmed by WW1 medals and accounts from relatives. He could have been a RNR or RNVR. His record lists him being in "Cells" 3 times so I believe he was a scoundrel!! I am assuming on outbreak of the Great War he was allowed to re-enlist despite being kicked out as a teenager. Is this likely? Thanks What name did he serve under? Use of an alias to hide his previous service would mean a separate record. A spelling mistake might cause the same error. There is also the possibility that he was R.N.R. or R.N.V.R. - their records aren't online. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
per ardua per mare per terram Posted 30 November , 2007 Share Posted 30 November , 2007 Name: MAY, JOHN Rank: Leading Stoker Regiment/Service: Royal Naval Reserve Unit Text: H.M.S. "Bulwark." Age: 37 Date of Death: 26/11/1914 Service No: 1963U Additional information: Son of John May, of Dundee; husband of Mary Catherine Patterson (formerly May), of 15, Hunter St., Dundee. Grave/Memorial Reference: 6. Memorial: PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL Is this your man? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joseph Posted 30 November , 2007 Share Posted 30 November , 2007 Hi, He was in the Royal Naval Reserve as a Leading Stoker serving his third term of 5 years, he was in the RNR between 10 and 15 years could well be worth finding his records could make interesting reading. Regards Charles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
per ardua per mare per terram Posted 30 November , 2007 Share Posted 30 November , 2007 Microfiche copies of his Royal Naval Reserve service cards are in BT 377/7 at Kew, but you can request copies from the original cards from the Fleet Air Arm Museum. Here's a link to their research page: http://www.fleetairarm.com/pages/research/archivep1.htm The RNR was formed from merchant seamen willing to go into the Navy if war broke out. He probably found naval discipline too much, but he did better in the merchant service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brd888 Posted 3 December , 2007 Author Share Posted 3 December , 2007 Name: MAY, JOHN Rank: Leading Stoker Regiment/Service: Royal Naval Reserve Unit Text: H.M.S. "Bulwark." Age: 37 Date of Death: 26/11/1914 Service No: 1963U Additional information: Son of John May, of Dundee; husband of Mary Catherine Patterson (formerly May), of 15, Hunter St., Dundee. Grave/Memorial Reference: 6. Memorial: PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL Is this your man? Indeed it is. Have 2 medals with 1963U stamped on the side. thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
per ardua per mare per terram Posted 3 December , 2007 Share Posted 3 December , 2007 Indeed it is. Have 2 medals with 1963U stamped on the side. thanks. You're welcome. He would have had at least three medals: 1914/15 Star (the Navy at sea didn't qualify for the 14 Star), British War and Victory medals. There will be 3 sets of service cards for him too with an 'S,' 'T' and 'U' suffix, but different numbers; copies at Kew and originals at the Fleet Air Arm Museum. Kew is currently closed but the FAAM open so you could try them. Address in my post "Microfiche copies ..." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brd888 Posted 4 December , 2007 Author Share Posted 4 December , 2007 Absolutely correct - there are 3 medals, 1914-15 Star, War medal in Silver and Victory medal in Brass. They are mixed with WW2 medals earned by his son of the same name, unfortunately he did not survive Normandy. Have emailed FAAM but I expect a reply could take a while. Regards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
per ardua per mare per terram Posted 5 December , 2007 Share Posted 5 December , 2007 I wish you joy, they seem to reply fastest to family. Please bear in mind that they are a voluntary organisation and this isn't their main focus. Their workload has increased dramatically as a result of this forum alone giving recommendations about their holdings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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