DIVERS?

[busyglen]

Does anyone have an idea where I can find details of a Diver?

I am looking for Thomas Peters, born St. Margarets Bay, Kent in 1890 and who died in Sheerness, Kent in December 1924 having been employed as a Diver.

At first I thought that he would have been employed by the RN as a Diver and I have looked at the National Archives to see if I could find a record, but so far no luck. I have since discovered that it is possible that he was employed by the Dockyard rather than the RN, so am now at a loss as to where to go for any records if they exist. I'd be grateful for any ideas please.

Glenys

[Jan1954]

Hello Glenys,

I found this site: http://www.canterbury.gov.uk/buildpage.php?id=2420

Although centred on Whitstable, they may be able to point you in the right direction.

Also, the Historical Divers Association may be found here: http://www.thehds.com/

[busyglen]

Thank you very much Jan. I doubt that Whitstable would be able to help, but I will have a look at the other site. Also I have sent an email to the Medway Maritime Museum, as they hold quite a bit of information on Sheerness Dockyard, so there is always a possibility that they may have some records.

Thanks again....there's always something new turning up to look for isn't there?



Glenys

[Jan1954]

Thank you very much Jan. I doubt that Whitstable would be able to help, but I will have a look at the other site. Also I have sent an email to the Medway Maritime Museum, as they hold quite a bit of information on Sheerness Dockyard, so there is always a possibility that they may have some records.

Thanks again....there's always something new turning up to look for isn't there?

Glenys

Oh so true, Glenys. That's why I shake my head slowly when people ask me if I've finished my tree yet...

[busyglen]

Jan,

Just heard from the Chatham Dockyard Museum, and they advised that they don't hold any records. They either were sent to the NA, MOD, or destroyed.

I will have to try the NA again and see what happens.

Thanks.

Glenys

[busyglen]

I know the answer before I ask, but would still like to clarify it.

Would the Army have had Divers?

I am still trying to find some sort of record for Thomas Peters born 1890, and died 1924. I am awaiting the death certificate and hope it will give me a clue to confirm the rumours that have gone around in the family.

Some family members said he was invalided out of the services and that he was a Diver...(nobody knows which service)! Others say he died of TB, but I would have thought that if he had a problem with his chest, he wouldn't have been able to dive anyway.

He lived in Sheerness, where there was a Dockyard, so he `could' possibly have been employed by the MOD. Or...perhaps he was in the Navy as a Diver. We are looking at around WW1 when he would have been employed in whatever capacity.

I have checked with Chatham Maritime Museum (where a lot of records went when Sheerness Dockyard closed) but they advised me that some went to the MOD, others to NA and the rest was destroyed.

I have been searching the NA for Navy Personnel, and there are quite a few Thomas Peters, but none born in Kent (St. Margarets Bay) or the right year.
I've also tried to look at the MOD, but am at a loss as to where to look. I then wondered about the Army, but think that this is unlikely.

Any other ideas?

Glenys