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Naval Reserve Forces (See below for M.M.R., R.N.V.R., R.N.V.S.R., R.N.S.R., R.F.R., R.F.A.S. and the Coastguard Service) |
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ROYAL NAVAL
RESERVE
Although
there had been precursors, such as the River & Sea Fencibles
during the French Revolutionary Wars; and some
provision for naval reserves made (but dropped through the fall of the Whig
government to the Tories) in 1852; it was not until 1859 that the R.N.R. as
such came into being (provisionally named the Royal Naval Volunteers). In the
teeth of vociferous opposition from much of the R.N. establishment, in 1861
there was the separate formation of an officers’ reserve.
It
was not until much later that ratings received proper
naval uniforms (but then these had only been first introduced for ratings in
the R.N. in 1857). However, even although officers’ wore uniforms from the
start, not only were their cap badges and buttons different, the rings for were
of a very ornate ‘intertwined’ pattern from the R.N.’s plain bands of gold,
instantly identifying R.N.R. officers as different.
With
a commonplace lack of strategic thought to be found in governmental and
military organisations, this reserve basically found itself to be something of
an equally badly-trained replacement for the Royal Naval Coast Volunteers.
While the organisation periodically changed, it was not until the 1880s that
there were any real improvements in the R.N.R. Official
incompetence during the Russian war scare of 1885 led to the first provision of
proper armed-merchant cruisers, which in turn meant the potential of meaningful
sea time for the reservists. (There had been only very limited experiments at taking reservists to
sea in men-o-war by this time.) Further, but grudging opportunities availed
themselves through the Naval Defence Act (1889) and subsequent building
campaigns, as the professional navy became overstretched from the 1890s
onwards. Through these decades, in spite of continuing opposition from much of
naval establishment the R.N.R. had grown significantly, not only in size, but
also in complexity, with the addition of more branches of service.
Nevertheless, it was still seen primarily in terms of a gunnery reserve and
incompetently at that, since the training remained out of date and poor.
During
the Edwardian period, the R.N.R. survived Admiral Sir John
Fisher‘s
attempt to disband it in 1905 and ironically through this, was put on a far
more useful footing. With massive building programmes and the retention of older,
larger warships as reserve fleets, the manning problems of the R.N. were by
then severe. It was in the role of keeping the pre-Dreadnought men-o-war at sea
that the mainstream R.N.R. came to be used. (This becomes
very apparent when looking at the casualties in the disastrous sinkings of
HOGUE, ABOUKIR, CRESSY, MONMOUTH and GOOD HOPE in 1914.) Also, a
relatively small scheme for keeping naval ports free of mines had been developed by using civilian
fishing craft. As of 1910 the Royal Naval
Reserve (Trawler Section) was formed.
As
the First World War progressed, more and more roles were found for reservists.
Almost immediately German mining operations meant a massive expansion of the
R.N.R.(T) along with other craft of the ‘Auxiliary
Patrol’. Day to day blockade duties fell to Cruiser Force B/10th
Cruiser Squadron, which by 1915 were made up of Armed Merchant Cruisers. Other
A.M.C.s, such as the famous CARMANIA, formed integral parts of the patrolling
cruiser squadrons throughout the world. The transportation of troops and matériel required officers with
mercantile experience, which were duly used. And, later masters and mates of
vessels taken up for government service (non-commissioned Mercantile Fleet
Auxiliaries) were also temporarily commissioned into the R.N.R. Yet more
officers found themselves on other duties, such as in the salvage of
semi-sunken merchantmen.
There
were also R.N.R. men in 1914, who along with all sorts of other reserves, ended
up in Winston Churchill’s Royal Naval Divisions. If they survived long enough,
in Belgium, Gallipoli and Flanders, they became soldiers not just in
appearance, but in reality by being transferred to the army in 1916 (although
the Admiralty retained some control over them at least administratively).
Unsurprisingly,
during the inter-war period the R.N.R. did not figure highly in defence
spending - such that this was anyway. However, once again during the Second
World War these professional mariner reservists showed their mettle. In the
post-war era there was yet more re-organisation and while retaining the title
Royal Naval Reserve lost its professional basis, by being amalgamated with the
R.N.V.R.
As
for records pertinent to genealogical searches, these are mostly in The
National Archives, Public Records Office, Kew. Only
brief descriptions of documents will be given here, since formats and types of
information recorded changed with the many re-organisations. Also, records of
ratings and commissioned officers were substantially different. Therefore,
these will be dealt with separately.
Surviving ratings’ records can
basically be split into two bodies. There are those from 1860 until 1913 and
those from 1914 onwards.
The
pre First World War documents comprise of ledgers, with ‘service sheets’
written up. This was similar to the practice for R.N. ratings of the time. In
the case of the reservists, a great deal of information could be recorded: not only of their reserve
activities, but also their civilian employment. Also, men enrolled for
five-year engagements and their entries in these ledgers reflect this. So, if
they signed on for a second, third, fourth time their official numbers changed
and they were entered into different ledgers. Also, with numerous
re-organisations there were different schemes of reserve, getting evermore
complex as time progressed.
In
total the percentage of these particular records available to the public is
small. Nevertheless, a greater number of ledgers, twelve in all, concerned with
deck ratings of the First Class Reserve survive. These cover the period of 1860
to the late 1890s in one form or another. There are five ledgers for deck
ratings of the Second Class Reserve and these cover some years between 1870 and
1899. The small Third Class Reserve for deck ratings is dealt with by one
ledger, between 1877 and 1899. And lastly, there are three ledgers for the
Firemen’s Reserve, covering periods between 1888 and 1896.
Unfortunately
no indexes to any of these ledgers have been released. Therefore, one needs
to know a reservist’s official number to stand a realistic chance of obtaining
any information. These numbers were often to be found on other documentation,
such as crew lists and agreements. So, in effect, for the period dealt with
here, these records are hardly of use for genealogical research into mariners
other than certificated officers (see example below).
The
second tranche of ratings’ documentation is more helpful however. It has become
patently obvious that these form part of the card index system compiled by the
office of the Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen. Theoretically these
cards stretch from 1914 until the amalgamation of the R.N.R. with the R.N.V.R.
in the 1950s. However, it is thought that there are no entries later than the
1930s and personally I have seen no entries later than 1937 (of a leading
seamen known later to have been killed on a submarine during the Second World
War). Originally in the form of cards, these are now presented as microfiche.
Copied well, they are still not very easy to use. However, this is merely due
to the amount of information crammed onto them, especially during the war
years. The best way I have found to deal with these, is to photocopy entries on
as large a format as possible and work through the considerable detail at
leisure at home. Of course, entries in red do not show up particularly well,
but this is a problem with many mercantile/naval records on film and fiche.
(Presumably
there were also ledgers of service for R.N.R ratings held by the Admiralty from
1914 onward and since Ministry of Defence officials maintain that they have no
further personnel files in their possession. So, this begs a question as to their
fate?)
By
comparison, the service records of R.N.R. commissioned officers are far more complicated. This situation has arisen
through uncoordinated and thoughtless processing by modern civil servants,
apparently both at the Ministry of Defence and
at the Public Records Office.
Dealing
with those maintained by the Royal Navy, for officers on the active list during
the period from the 1860s through to the 1890s, their service sheets are in the
form of original ledgers. While not indexed, these were organised by number and
date of commission. So, rank and date of seniority must be known for officers’ initial commissions to be found without undue
searching. These 19th century volumes again give much information
for officers active within the reserve. After promotion (if indeed this
happened) further detail is recorded in the original ledgers.
Continuing
with officers on the active list (where commissions were gained in peacetime)
or on the retired list employed in war, it can now be worked out that the ledger
system remained in use in the 20th century, stretching (as far as so
far seen) to the immediate post First World War period. Having finally been
released (far later than other series) these are in microfiche form. There are
indexes for these, for the executive branch they are externally in two
microfiche at the beginning of the series. But, for other branches, such as in
engineers and paymasters, each original volume was apparently internally
indexed and can be found at the front of each volume’s microfiche.
Additionally,
there are other ledgers for officers holding commissions from the late 1890s
through to immediately before the First World War. It might be that these came
from the commissions and warrants department. These are not particularly useful,
especially now as service sheets are available. Also, with re-organisations
these psychically become smaller gradually, recording less and less
information. The 20th century ledgers are small red leather-bound
books, which deal with one rank only. So, if promoted more than one search is
required, for very little information recorded.
During
the Great War (1914-19) a large number of temporary commissions were given. The
vast majority of these are in their original ledger form. However, in late 2005
I found that at least some are in microfilm format. All these are arranged by
rank and rough date of their initial R.N.R. commissions. It
should be noted that indexes for these are external and also on microfilm.
For
researchers not au fait with naval administrative
terminology these wartime ledgers can be difficult records to understand. They
were written up in pen and ink and heavily abbreviated. Unlike earlier service
records no reference was made to officers’ civilian life though. Saliently no
certificate numbers were quoted for qualified seamen and engineering officers.
Compounding potential difficulties, often the handwriting is atrocious. Apart
from details of individuals’ service there can
be some additional interesting information recorded on these entries. Seemingly
immediately prior to discharge, their service sheets were ‘written up’ by
relevant flag officers. These comments can indicate something of individuals’
characters. Also, details of next of kin and addresses where officers were
living on discharge are often (although not always) recorded. And, it should be
noted that merchant mates and masters on Mercantile Fleet Auxiliaries later in
the war who were awarded commissions for individual voyages on government
service are not shown (as far as I can
determine) within these ledgers.
There
were also honorary commissions given to a small number of individuals. Often
the recipients were marine superintendents of the prestigious liner companies,
as well as to others of the ‘great and the good’. There are also ledgers in the
form of ‘service sheets’, but giving very limited information on these
characters: from the earliest days through to the 20th century.
I
would suggest that searches are made of the Navy List
or Royal Navy List prior to going near
the above documents, in order to gain as much relevant information, as this may
well save considerable time and effort. A word of warning
however. These lists are often not simple documents to use: especially
in times of conflict. As an example of this, near the end of the First World
War there were three separate lists for commissioned officers of the R.N.R
alone in the Navy List. In order to get the
most of these a working knowledge of the esoteric concept of militaristic
‘seniority’ is required.
There
is also a perhaps surprising problem dealing with these documents, especially
the late 19th century volumes. The leather of the spines and covers
has deteriorated into a powder, which is deposited on anything it comes into
contact with. The result is brick-red grubby fingers and clothing (if brushed
against).
Clear
as daylight to me at least, part of the R.N.R. officers’ card index as compiled
by the R.G.S.S. has also now been released. All the officers’ records so far
mentioned have been in the class ADM 240. But, these are part of ADM 340.
Completely incompetently handled by the modern civil servants, although these
form a separate series they have been lumped with miscellaneous bits and pieces
of personnel records of individuals of the R.N., R.N.R, R.N.V.R., R.M.,
W.R.N.S. and apparently even the nursing services. The R.N.R. officers’ cards
cover officers of all branches of service from the 1890s to well into the 20th
century. This not complete by any means, as far as can be determined from study
up to now, a high proportion of wartime ‘temporary gentlemen’ from the First
World War are missing, as are most from later in the 20th century.
Arranged alphabetically, searches for these are quick and easy to do and can be
well worth conducting, as the amount of
information recorded can be voluminous and includes civilian employment, both
at sea and sometimes ashore after retirement. (It should also be noted that
there are other bits and pieces of
R.N.R. officers’ in the miscellaneous ‘series’ as well.)
And,
previously released is also a separate listing for R.N.R. officers in the
Second World War, listing awards, casualties, deaths, prisoners of war and
those missing. I have, however, not viewed this, so cannot pass any comment as
to its usefulness.
The
bulk of the historical background for this section is to be found in Frank C.
Bowen: History of the Royal Naval
Reserve (London: The
Corporation of Lloyd’s, 1926). However, a number of details came from other
sources.
Example of ‘missing’ R.N.R. service within an entry in Lloyd’s Captains Register
Example of crew list showing mobilisation of R.N.R.
ratings from Barnstaple coaster C.F.H.
Example of a nineteenth century rating’s service in
the 1st class R.N. reserve
Two examples of early twentieth century R.N.R.
officers’ records as sub-lieutenants
Example of First World War temporary R.N.R. officer’s
service sheet
Example of a ratings’s entry in the First World War R.N.R. medal roll
Example of entries of a R.N.R. officer awarded the
D.S.C. and bar
Example of a R.N.R. officer mentioned in dispatches and awarded a foreign decoration
Go to the main First World War Medal Roll for the Merchant Service and Reserves
Go to Royal Naval Campaign Medals
Go to the Certification of Seamen Officers
Go to the main Mercantile Page
MERCANTILE
MARINE RESERVE
Although there had been
general pay rates for merchant mariners in peacetime, especially through trade
union pressure, these were not standard. War, of course, brought great
instability and by 1916 there was a significant variance, depending on what had
been negotiated by unions and even individuals signing on. This was even the
case on commissioned M.F.A.s. Admiralty Weekly Order, number 1856, issued on 8th
August 1916 announced that it had been ‘decided to standardise the rates of pay
of Mercantile Marine Ratings employed in Commissioned Fleet Auxiliaries’.
Separately, merchant officers on these vessels were also to be treated
similarly.
However, this order
went much further. It was also
stated that arrangements had ‘been made for the maintenance of a Reserve at the
R.N. Barracks, Portsmouth, of the principal Ratings required to fill vacancies
in Commissioned Fleet Auxiliaries. Such men will be engaged from time to time
as necessary by the Superintendents of Mercantile Marine and will be signed on
the Agreement Form T.124X for the S.S. “Sunhill,”
which will be regarded as the parent ship for Mercantile Ratings at
Portsmouth...’. Although officers were not specifically mentioned in this
edict, from my own research it would appear that some were appointed at least
nominally to SUNHILL later in the war.
At least some ships’
articles for commissioned M.F.A.s (early in the war anyway) are to be found
within the normal mercantile ‘crew lists’. But, apart from those there are
precious few records relating to the M.M.R. surviving. There is a small number
Admiralty Transport Department files dealing with administrative subjects
(until this department was subsumed into the newly formed Ministry of
Shipping). But, the only documents of real potential interest to genealogists
will be the two medal rolls for the First World War era. Incidentally, these
show men serving as early as 1914 and this would appear to have been an
administrative short cut.
Incidentally, as of
October 1918 Protection and Identity Certificates were issued to members of
this reserve (as well, apparently, as the R.N.R.).
Example of a T124 form for the commissioned M.F.A.
CROWN OF ARRAGON for 1914-15
Go to the main First World War Medal Roll for the Merchant Service and Reserves
Go to the main Mercantile Page
ROYAL NAVAL
VOLUNTEER RESERVE and ROYAL NAVAL VOLUNTEER SUPPLEMENTARY RESERVE
If in the early years the R.N.R. was seen more
in terms of coastal artillery through lack of any proper assigned role, then
the R.N.V.R could most definitely claim to be successors to the Royal Naval
Coastal Volunteers. Even though the R.N.C.V. was disbanded in 1873 (with it’s
members supposedly encouraged to join the R.N.R.’s newly formed 2nd
Class Reserve), largely through the efforts of Thomas Brassey
M.P., a purely amateur band of coastal artillerymen known as the Royal Naval
Artillery Volunteers sprung up in the same year.
A delightfully interesting
and highly colourful organisation, their larger and more affluent divisions
were often reported within the social columns of the best newspapers. However,
coverage was not always beneficial and much public bickering did not endear
them to the R.N. Apart from some old cannonry, a gunboat or two and some
instructors, which were supplied by the state, they had to pay for everything
else. This included their uniforms, the officers having wavy bands of silver.
Keen as mustard, with their ancient cannons and cutlasses, the R.N. had little
interest in them and in 1891 tried to offload them onto the army. The
volunteers chose to disband themselves, rather than suffer this indignity!
Nevertheless, many of the
same men reformed themselves into ‘naval cruising clubs’ and lobbied in high
places for some place in the country’s defence. In time this bore fruit and in
1903 the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve was formed. Unfortunately,
prior to the First World War the R.N.V.R. retained all the worst aspects of the
old R.N.A.V. In an era of massive technological and organisational
change, unsurprisingly the R.N. treated them as a joke. At this time the term
‘wavy navy’ after the pattern of gold rings their officers wore and the
adornment on ratings’ blue-jean collars was coined, though later it became
something of a term of endearment.
Just like the R.N.R.
during the First World War the men of the R.N.V.R. came to fill lots of roles,
regarded by the R.N. as secondary, but nevertheless essential. Again they were
called on in the Second World War. And, as already mentioned they disappeared
into the R.N.R., although in essence they took it over.
Researching the careers
of officers and men of the R.N.V.R. is generally simpler than that of the
R.N.R. Nevertheless, there are complications, again due to the disinterest and
haphazard activities of modern civil servants.
The vast majority of
commissioned officers’ service records that can be viewed publicly are those
serving during the First World War (with demobilisation dates up to c.1922).
These are in hand-written ledgers and individuals’ histories are located via a
card index in the microfilm reading room at Kew. As with R.N.R. officers, these
are in a highly abbreviated form and may
be difficult to understand by those without expert knowledge, both of naval
operational and administrative procedures.
There are also others,
among the ‘odds and sods’ in ADM 340. While there are some
relating to the Second World War period, these relate to those born before
1900. It should be stated that I have found precious few R.N.V.R. officers in
my searches of this collection.
However, for the
records of commissioned officers serving after the First World War the same
procedures for regular Royal Naval officers need to be followed.
This can be a truly frustrating process.
Available
R.N.V.R. ratings’ service records also relate mostly the First World War
period. These can be in a number of different forms, depending on the part of
the organisation belonged to. However, individuals’ service numbers are
required and these can be found via the relevant medal roll. (It should also be
mentioned that some men had more than one service number.) Most of these are
viewed in microfilm form, with those of the Royal Naval Division recorded on
microfiche. It should be noted that for men in the R.N.D. there may also be
divisional records as well as their cards (with differing information).
Not
all R.N.V.R. ratings’ service sheets are at Kew though. Due to an apparent lack
of interest by bureaucrats, the Fleet Air Arm Museum, at R.N.A.S. Yeovilton
took some that were not wanted elsewhere. These include Birmingham electrical
volunteers; ‘Kitchener Army’ recruits and R.N. entries trained at Crystal
Palace; some men of the Motor Boat Reserve; others of the Royal Naval Division;
and the Shore Wireless Service in greater or lesser parts.
Enquiries to
Yeovilton should be made to:-
Records and
Research Department,
Fleet Air Arm
Museum,
P.O. Box D6,
R.N.A.S.
Yeovilton,
Ichester,
SOMERSET BA22
8HT.
Tel: 01935
842628
E-mail: jan@fleetairarm.com
There
is also a very small selection of records described at Kew as ‘Divisional Records’
1903 to 1939. These are drill attendance books, those post First World War tend
to also give some relevant info on individuals, but not all that much.
Additionally,
within the records of the R.N.V.R. at Kew are those of the Mine Clearance
Service. As can be determined from its title, this was a post First World War
organisation recruited to clear the hundreds of thousands of mines sown during
the war. It was drawn from all arms of the R.N. and it’s
reserves, but also included past merchant mariners and those that had never
been at sea before. It is stated in the P.R.O.’s leaflets that the M.C.S. was
administered by the R.N.V.R., but I have seen no documentary evidence to back
this claim. As far as I can determine, that their service
sheets were written up on R.N.V.R. forms does not constitute proof of an
organisational link, merely that there were lots of such forms printed at the
end of hostilities. Anyway, these records are difficult to use, simply
because there are no known indexes. So, unless one has a service number from
other sources, it is a very long haul searching these microfilms.
Another
organisation that may cause severe confusion is that of the Royal Naval
Volunteer (Supplementary) Reserve. This was formed in 1936 and recruited
overwhelmingly from yachtsmen thought to be potentially useful in time of war.. No routine peacetime contact with the R.N.V.R. was
maintained, being trained separately. Also members held no rank until they had
been ‘granted temporary commissions as Probationary Sub-Lieutenants, R.N.V.R.
or temporary appointments as Probationary Midshipmen, R.N.V.R., on or after
Mobilisation’. After being commissioned, there was no apparent differentiation
from other officers of the R.N.V.R.
Most
of the historical information for this section came from J. Lennox and Wilfred
Granville: The R.N.V.R.: A Record of Achievement (London: George Harrap,
1957). However, similarly some detail came from other sources.
Example of a R.N.V.R. rating’s First World War
service sheet - Anti-Aircraft Section
Example of a
R.N.V.R. rating’s service sheet - Clyde Division pre First World War entry
Example of a R.N.V.R. rating’s First
World War service sheet - Wartime entry through Crystal Palace
Example of a R.N.V.R. rating’s First World War
service sheet - Motor Boat Reserve
Example of a R.N.V.R. rating’s First World
service sheet - Royal Naval Division
Example of a R.N.V.R.
officer’s First World War service sheet
Example of a R.N.V.R. officer’s Second World War service sheet
Example of a Mine Clearing Service rating’s post First World War service sheet
Go to the main First World War medal rolls for the Merchant Service and Reserves
Go to Royal Naval campaign medals
Go to the main Mercantile page
Go to the main Royal Naval page
Unlike the R.N.V.S.R. (see
R.N.V.R. above) this reserve was for ratings. This was short-lived however and
affected comparatively few men. The Military Training Act of May 1939 required
the registration of all men aged 20 to 21. The Admiralty therefore formed this
reserve in order to recruit from this pool of labour that was liable for
service in the army. Volunteers for the R.N.S.R. would therefore become subject
to calling out by the R.N. rather than the army. Events overtook this, with war
in September 1939 and the passing of the National Services (Forces) Act. As far
as I understand there are virtually no records pertaining to this reserve.
Go to the main Royal Naval page
ROYAL FLEET
RESERVE
This was a reserve commitment begun in 1901,
whereby Royal Naval ratings of good character who
had completed their time, for receiving an annual retainer could be liable to
be returned to service in times of emergency (that is, war). While ex
‘blue-jackets’ could equally have sought employment ashore, some became
merchant mariners.
Along with other
reserves, the R.F.R. was called out in August 1914. This was similarly the case
in 1939. With a loss of the bulk of traditional ‘long service’ ratings through
the Second World War the rules were changed. So, some ratings that had been
H.O. (Hostilities Only) were recruited into this reserve, with some being
called up for the Korean War (1950-53). I believe, the
R.F.R. may again have been called
out during the Suez Crisis of 1956. Two years later this was reorganised into
the normal reserve commitment of its day. Some ‘Fleet
reservists’ are definitely known to have been returned to service in 1982 for
the Falklands War.
There are no
operational or administrative documents intrinsically dealing with the R.F.R.
However, there are occasional references to men under this liability rejoining
the R.N. This is apparent from crew-lists and agreements of the latter half of
1914. Perhaps because of considerations such as geography, or even a similarity
in working conditions, there seem to have been higher percentages of men in the
North Atlantic passenger liner companies working out of Southampton in the
R.F.R., than elsewhere in mercantile service. A good example of this can be
found in the crew-lists and articles for the White Star Line’s OCEANIC for
1914.
Study of the original
legislation formed the basis of this section. I do not know of any published
work dealing with this subject. Nevertheless, my attention has been drawn to
information on a website by the descendent of an R.F.R. man that had been very
active post First World War in bettering the lot of Royal Fleet Reservists.
This makes most interesting reading and can be found at http://www.doverlife.co.uk/ and going to ‘history
articles’.
Go to the main Mercantile Page
Go to the main Royal Naval Page
Awarded official status
in 1911, elements of this mercantile support service to the R.N. had been in
existence for some years before, under the control of the Admiralty Transport
Department at first. It is not entirely clear how this came into being, but
from the vessels acquired previously it is apparent that at least one original
important aim was experimentation into fuelling (both coal and oil-fuel).
Through the Great War 1914-19 there was growth in this service, but in total
terms of the tonnage of the ‘Merchant Service’ this was negligible. It should
be explained that although government owned, the crews of these vessels were
not subject to the Naval Discipline Act. Instead, they were governed by the
Merchant Shipping Acts, like the majority of civilian mariners.
There are no personnel
documents per se, as far as
I understand, within the Admiralty Transport Department files dealing with
officers and men of the R.F.A.S. The records of this department were
operational and administrative documents and there are hundreds of fascinating
files dealing with running commercial vessels on Admiralty account, some of
which deal with R.F.A.s. (With the massive administrative shake ups in the
Admiralty, imposed by the politicians later in the war, this department was
disbanded and the work was taken over by the newly formed Ministry of
Shipping.) Just occasionally individuals are mentioned in these documents,
dealing with everything from extra pay to mutiny. However, this is not a body of
work that is generally profitable for genealogical research.
This is not an
organisation which has been widely written about. Nevertheless, an useful work is Captain E.E. Sigwart:
Royal
Fleet Auxiliary: its ancestry and affiliations 1600-1968
(London: Adlard Coles, 1969).
Go to the main Mercantile Page
Go to the main Royal Naval Page
THE
COASTGUARD SERVICE
Although in some
respects closer, historically, to the Royal Naval Reserve this section has been
placed at the foot in order to allow readers not necessarily au fait with the nature of the various reserves given
the title ‘Royal’ to differentiate between these easier. In support of the
Revenue’s cruizers offshore and customs officials
ashore, the first formal peacetime ‘coastguard’ (of Riding Officers) was formed
in 1698: all aimed at impeding smuggling. In 1809 another element was added.
Operating inshore this was the Preventative Water Guard. Seven years later
there was a major reorganisation. Most of the Revenue cruizers
were to be operated by the Admiralty; the Preventative Water Guard was put
under the control of the Treasury; and the Riding Officers were the perks of
the Board of Customs. Additionally, the Admiralty also formed the Coast
Blockade in 1816. This was another shore-bound anti-smuggling unit.
Perhaps
not surprisingly, this bureaucratic mess did not survive uninvestigated.
After committee activity in 1821 a year later the Coastguard came into being.
This united all the above, apart from the Coast Blockade - at least initially.
Nine years later the Coast Blockade disappeared into the Coastguard. Under the
Board of Customs, its officers were to be nominated by the Admiralty.
During
the Crimean War (1854-56) the Coastguard had already been used in effect as a
naval reserve, with men serving onboard warships on operations in both the
Black and Baltic Seas. Through the Coastguard Service Act of 1856 the
Coastguard was transferred to Admiralty control and became properly a reserve
for the R.N. in time of war. Internal reorganisation followed and three groups
were formed - the Permanent Cruiser Force, the Guard Ships and Shore Force. The
first continued the work of the Revenue cruisers, along with fishery protection
duties and other miscellaneous tasks; the second comprised R.N. warships used
as floating headquarters in major ports (with annual sea-training); and the
third obviously worked ashore.
Post
First World War (in 1919) the Permanent Cruiser Force was done away with
(probably a ‘victim of the Gedes Axe’). In this year
the Shore Force became manned completely by naval pensioners and in 1923 was
transferred to the Board of Trade. In the Second World War the Shore Force was
put under operational (but not administrative) control of the Admiralty once
again. Along with the Auxiliary Coast Guard, comprising of part-time
volunteers, they carried out various miscellaneous duties, including coast watching.
Post
1923 the Coastguard Service has been administered the Board of Trade 1923-39;
the Ministry of Shipping 1939-40; the Ministry of War Transport and its
successor Ministry of Transport 1940-64; and the Department of Trade and its
successors from then.
Long
before 1856 there had been significant naval input in relation to manpower and
this is reflected in the records. The first signs in the original documentation
begin around 1819 and get stronger from 1857 onwards. At this point I do not have very much experience with
Coastguard records and so will not comment further - until I can write
confidently on this aspect. Officers are also first shown in the Navy List in mid 1831.
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