Royal Marine Reords

[eileenb]

After assuming that my grandfather served in the Army during WW1 after almost 20 years I have now traced a surviving member of his second family who has provided me with a copy of a paper she has, showing he served in the Royal Marines.

A copy is attached but unfortunately it is incomplete and I don't know if I am going to be able to trace him from this. (The lady who provided it is very elderly and all attempts to have it scanned again have been ignored) I was hoping it would show his service number but does it? The only reference number is in the top right hand corner and apparently reads Phy 1991/3.

Is anyone able to tell me if this is a service number or advise me on the next step please?

[busyglen]

Hello Eileen.

My father served in the Royal Marines from 1916 to 1937, and his Register No. was 20504, which doesn't seem to mean anything against the number you mention.

The RM records are at the National Archives, and you could do a search there, although they aren't downloadable like the Royal Navy. If you want to give a name, I will try a search for you.

Glenys

[eileenb]

Unfortunately I am unable to attach the document but can anyone still help with the number please?

[eileenb]

Hi Glenys

Having been married to a member of the RN, I didn't think it was going to turn out to be a service number. My grandfather's name was Charles Lewis - no middle name which is probably going to make things rather difficult but thank you for your kind offer.
Eileen

PS I couldn't find out how to attach the paper to my posting.

[busyglen]

If it's not very clear, PHY could possible be PLY for Plymouth, but usually the Register number and the place of Enlistment are separate. My father's shows Division: Chatham, which is where he enlisted. Not much help I'm afraid, but you could search the National Archives under his name.

Glenys

[busyglen]

Hi Glenys

Having been married to a member of the RN, I didn't think it was going to turn out to be a service number. My grandfather's name was Charles Lewis - no middle name which is probably going to make things rather difficult but thank you for your kind offer.
Eileen

PS I couldn't find out how to attach the paper to my posting.

No problem Eileen, I'll see if I can find anything.

Glenys

[Jan1954]

PS I couldn't find out how to attach the paper to my posting.

Hello Eileen,

This thread explains it:

http://www.british-genealogy.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21936&highlight=post+pictures+messages

[busyglen]

Hi Eileen, Not having much luck. I forgot that when I obtained my father's record, my cousin went to the NA and did a search there on the microfilm. Unfortunately, you can't do that on-line. If it's the RN you can search much easier on-line and also download images of their records, which isn't much help to you.

Perhaps someone else who reads this thread, may have more idea on that number and be able to help. I did note that from 1755 there were several Divisions: Chatham, Plymouth and Portsmouth, and others were added in later years, so it *could* possibly be that the PHY could be for PLY (Plymouth) but that is only a guess. The numbers 1991/3 obviously can't relate to the years as we are only talking about 15 years ago or so. :confused:

Sorry I haven't been much help. Do you have a rough idea of when he would have been in the RM or a rough idea of birth date?

Glenys

[eileenb]

Thank you for the link, Daft Bat. I have just found it but again not much luck as I can't find the icon to click on!

Grandad was born 05 December 1883 (although the paper shows 05 November 1883) and enlisted in Winchester 11 December 1915 at the age of 32. It is headed "Certificate of the Service of ...Charles Lewis" and handwritten across the top it says "Industrial Group 2" and "Hostilities only".

The Register number shown is Phy 1991/3.

His wife is given as next of kin and the only other legible information is his height of 5'6". The rest of the page is then cut off. It is so frustrating after the length of time it has taken to find the information but at least I now know I should be looking for a marine and not a soldier. This is the last piece of my 20 year jigsaw puzzle in piecing together his life and I could scream!!

[Jan1954]

Thank you for the link, Daft Bat. I have just found it but again not much luck as I can't find the icon to click on!

Okay... read post #4 from Ladkyis in this thread: http://www.british-genealogy.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27500&highlight=photobucket

[busyglen]

Thanks for the info Eileen, I will see if I can find anything else out that might be of help, but it may not be until tomorrow.

When you are writing a message, there is a line of things like B for bold, fonts, etc. and there is a sort of yellow envelope with a mountain on it, if you hover over that you will see that it is the `insert image' icon.

Hope that helps.

Glenys

[busyglen]

Just had another think before I go Eileen, and the bit that says `Hostilities only' could possibly relate to the fact that he joined in 1915 when the War on, so possibly he was only in for the War?

Glenys

[eileenb]

Thank you Glenys.

I know that he was only in for the war. He was mustard gassed and was presumably invalided out.

My apologies for the delay in responding. One of those "viruses" got me!

[Roger47]

I take it you searched the medal rolls on line to see if he was there
My G/Grandfather was in the Marines and at that time there were in 4 Divisions two colours
known as the Red was the Royal Marine Light Infantry and the Blues were the
Royal Marine Artillery so R.M.L.I. or R.M.A.

They were like this until they amalgamated in 1923
The divisions were
DEAL Kent
CHATHAM Kent
PLYMOUTH Devon EAST STONEHOUSE
PORTSMOUTH Hampshire
and WOOLWICH then Kent now SE London borough of Greenwich

can you tell us if he married whilst in the service because if he did he would have needed to get permission to do so

when and where did he obtain his discharge/?
Do you know were he enlisted? this may be nowhere near his division area my ancestor was recruited in Hull but served in East Stone house Plymouth

If the ancestor is not alive what is the name

I have like you spent much time and money trying to find my G/grandfather and have collected a fair amount of research information so would be only too pleased to try and help you find yours
There is an amazing amount of information available if you know how to find it
One of the best books I found was The PRO Guide No 10
RECORDS OF THE ROYAL MARINES

Hope I can help

Roger

[eileenb]

Hi Roger and thank you for your response. I would appreciate all the help I can get. It has taken me many years to piece his life together and the war service is the only missing bit.

My grandfathers name was Charles Lewis born Wootton St Lawrence in Hants 05 Dec 1883. He married 08 Nov 1913 so permission to marry is not an issue. I have looked at the medal rolls but the name is a common one and I had no luck without his service number. I have no idea where he enlisted or was discharged.

In the twenties and thirties the family were in Wilts. Sometime in the late 1930's/early 1940's the family moved to Halling in Kent (next door to Chatham) and my grandfather was employed at Short Brothers aircraft factory. I have no idea how I can trace him without the service number but any suggestion you can provide would be most welcome.

Regards Eileen

[Judith Beilby]

I have a possible Royal Marine (information is from a child's birth certificate showing father as a Royal Marine in 1855) but do not seem to be able to find out if there are any service records for Royal marines this early??? Does anyone have any ideas please???

Thanks in advance for any assistance.