Example of 19th century R.N.R. rating (of 1st Class Reserve) - First five year engagement

 

 

Source: PRO: BT 164/6

JOHN REES DAVIES

Born: Aberayron, Cardigan 1872

Name of Father and Mother: Thomas S and Elizabeth

Physical appearance: 5 ft 5 3/4 in, chest 33 in (as under standard height), fair complexion with brown eyes

No of Cert. of Competency: 2 Mate 030147; 1 M 030147 25.10.98; O.C. 10.9.00

 

Date of Report

Address

District of Home Register

Consecutive No. in Register

18.3.95

18 Prussian Street, Liverpool

Liverpool

11/2

10.4.96

Maestog*, Aberayron

Cardigan

40

 

* Actually Maesteg, Ffos-y-ffin, near Aberayron

Apparently ‘finally disposed of’ in December 1900 ‘Term Expired’

 

 

Attendance at Drill

.

Ship or Battery

Date

Days drilled

Competency Great gun

Competency Rifle

Competency Cutlass

EAGLE

22.3.95-28.3.95

7

F

F

F

EAGLE

29.3.95-4.4.95

7

F

F

F

EAGLE

5.4.95-11.4.95

7

F

F

F

EAGLE

12.4.85-18.4.95

7

F

F

F

St. Dogmaels

16.3.96-12.4.96

28

G

G

VG

St. Dogmaels

21.8.97-17.9.97

28

VG

VG

VG

St. Dogmaels

5.11.98-2.12.98

28

VG

VG

VG

St. Dogmaels

24.7.99-26.8.99

28

VG

VG

VG

 

He was issued a (blue) ‘Suit’ on joining EAGLE (which was Liverpool’s R.N.R. drill-ship).

He was not regarded as a ‘trained man’ until he joined St. Dogmaels Battery. On each drill period there he fired two rounds of a ‘great gun’ and fifteen rounds of ‘rifle’ ammunition.

Throughout his reservist career, his conduct was assessed as VG. However, 1899 he went ‘6 days absent without leave’ and was ‘Reprimanded’ for this.

On his four drill periods at St. Dogmaels he was awarded 4 shillings travelling expenses, apparently to and from Aberayron.

 

 

Payments and Retainers

.

Port

Date of Payment

Amount of Retainer

Travelling expenses to Drill

Liverpool

4.4.95

£1 10s

 

Dock St*

11.2.96

£4 10s

 

Cardigan

16.4.96

£1 10s

 

Barry

6.11.96

£3

 

Cardigan

28.8.97

 

4s

Cardigan

13.9.97

£4 10s

 

Dock St

23.10.97

£1 10s

 

Dock St

28.10.98

£1 10s

 

Cardigan

19.11.98

£1 10s

 

Cardigan

7/12.11.98

£1 10s

4s cash Aberayron - Cardigan

Cardigan

26.11.98

£1 10s

 

Cardiff

31.3.99

£1 10s

 

Cardigan

5.8.99

£1 10s

4s Aberayron - St. Dogmaels coach

Cardigan

12.8.99

£1 10s

 

Dock St

2.8.00

£3

 

 

 * Dock Street, Poplar, London E

 

 

Particulars of Voyages in the Merchant Service subsequent to inrolment (sic)

.

Port of

Date of

Rating

Name of Ship

Official No.

Description of voyage

Date expected to return to UK

Liverpool

16.5.95

AB

IATA

87910

Melbourne

5 96

Cardiff

12.5.96

 

DUNSLEY

96542

Venice

 

Barry

1.9.96

AB

SPEEDWELL

83837

Valencia

12 96

Cardiff

29.1.97

2nd Mate

OCEAN CHIEF

6246O

Laguayra

7 97

Dock St

8.98

 

THETIS

102785

Falkland Isles

 

Newport

22.12.98

2nd Mate

GWENDOLINE

87623

?R.C.A.?*

2 99

Garston

3.1.99

2nd Mate

GWENDOLINE

87623

Ditto

 

S.S.

2.10.99

1st Mate

CRAIGISLA

93664

Valpo

7 1900 (with leave)

 * Perhaps W.C.A. - West Coast America

 

Ship

Port of

Date of

Rating on discharge

Reported Character - ability and conduct

ITATA

London

2.1.96

AB

VG VG

DUNSLEY

Cardiff

4.7.96

AB

VG VG

SPEEDWELL

Dock Street

20.10.96*

AB

VG VG

**

Cardiff

23.11.96***

AB****

VG VG

OCEAN CHIEF

Cardiff

6.8.97

2nd Mate

VG VG

GWENDOLINE

Garston

30.1.99

2nd Mate

VG VG

 

 

*

**

***

****

Other documents show this date to have been 13th October 1896

The vessel was SPEEDWELL once again

He signed on once again on 13th October 1896

This berth was as 2nd Mate

 

 

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