Two examples of early twentieth century R.N.R. service records as sub-lieutenants
Source: TNA: PRO ADM 240/17
.
|
No. of Comm |
Surname and Christian Name of Sub Lieutenant |
Date of Birth |
Date of Commission Date for Seniority |
Description of previous Service |
REMARKS. Particulars of Service, &c. |
|
001761 |
Blair, David |
11.11.1874 |
1) 29.9.05 2) 9.7.1904 |
OM 030119 |
Confirmed Prob Sub Lt M 18013/05 Commn recd M23316.05 * |
Source: TNA: PRO ADM 240/17
.
|
No. of Comm |
Surname and Christian Name of Sub Lieutenant |
Date of Birth |
Date of Comm Date for Seniority |
Description of previous Service |
REMARKS. Particulars of Service, &c. |
|
001498 |
Lightoller, Chas. Herbert |
30 Mar 1874 |
15 Apl 1903 (M 10196-03) *1 April 1903 |
M. Marine |
M7769-03 * |
* These were internal ‘M’ Branch references to documents. Much of this original paperwork has been ‘weeded’, but it is sometimes still possible to locate individual documents through the original Admiralty digests, though this can be a frustrating process.
Both these men were later linked inextricably, by the ill-fated White Star liner TITANIC. David Blair should have been her 2nd Officer for the maiden voyage, but due to personnel changes at the top he was left out of this crew. Charles Lightoller was originally to have been her 1st Officer, but was reduced to 2nd for this disastrous trip. Lightoller was senior survivor of TITANIC. Both men served as R.N.R. lieutenants on the armed merchant cruiser OCEANIC until her embarrassing grounding and total loss off the Shetlands in September 1914. Whilst he never got a merchant command, during the war Lightoller went on to win the Distinguished Service Cross - twice.
Go to medal roll entries for Charles Lightoller
Go to the main Mercantile page