Arthur Alexander Ottley was born in 1897.
I have a wedding photograph that was taken in September 1914, where he is one of the guests and is wearing a sailor's uniform. So, he would have been about 17.
I may have found him in the British Army WWI Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920, where there is an Arthur A Ottley, who was awarded Victory and British medals, by the looks of things.
My question is: would it be common/usual for a chap to start off in the Navy and then transfer to the Army back in those days?
Thank you,
Results 1 to 10 of 10
Thread: Navy to Army?
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19-11-2008, 9:25 PM #1Jan1954Guest
Navy to Army?
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19-11-2008, 9:40 PM #2GeoffersGuestOriginally Posted by Jan1954
Is it definitely RN uniform?
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19-11-2008, 9:55 PM #3Jan1954Guest
Thank you Geoffers - I never know where to begin with anything faintly connected to the Services. I will scurry off to have a look, but in the photograph, he is not wearing officer's uniform.
Is it definitely RN uniform?
The uniform is dark in colour, with a dark sailor's collar with white edging to it - that is, with a dark border, if you see what I mean. Underneath this, is worn a white, round-neck top - today's equivalent would be a tee-shirt. A white lanyard is also worn.
He is wearing a sailor's hat - dark band with a white top. There is a badge on the hat, but never in a million years would it be possible to make it out - too fuzzy. No arm badges are visible - hidden by the other guests.
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19-11-2008, 9:59 PM #4
Could it be a sea scout's uniform or a sort of a naval cadets?
Neil
www.claycross.org.uk
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19-11-2008, 10:21 PM #5GeoffersGuest
I would expect his RN uniform to look something like this photo on TNA's document's online
The RN was popular at the time and as such people sometimes dressed up (especially thir children) in something approaching a naval uniform. I have a photo of my grandfather aged about 12 in something similar to a Navy uniform - his dad was a Lt.Cmdr RN.
To answer Finbar's suggestion (which I also considered until checking the medal card index), if he had been in the Royal Naval Division then this should be shown on the index. The chap found by Jan is shown as being in the London Regt.
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19-11-2008, 10:23 PM #6Jan1954Guest
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19-11-2008, 10:25 PM #7georgeyoneGuest
Hi Jan
He may have served his time in the navy come out and joined the army I have a cousin who did just that he was in the naval cadets then seved six years in the royal navy came out couldn't stand civy street and after 2 years joined the army and served 13 years so it is possible.
Paul
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19-11-2008, 10:30 PM #8Jan1954Guest
That's the uniform! Thank you, Geoffers.
The RN was popular at the time and as such people sometimes dressed up (especially thir children) in something approaching a naval uniform.
I know of no reason as to why he would have dressed up.
Ho, hum... It is always possible that he stayed in the Navy and the A A Ottley that I found in the Army is a different person altogether...
One of life's little mysteries, perhaps.
Thanks for your replies, chaps.
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19-11-2008, 11:04 PM #9GeoffersGuestOriginally Posted by Jan1954
1897 Arthur Alexander OTTLEY
1899 Arthur Alfred OTTLEY
So it might well be two different chaps
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19-11-2008, 11:10 PM #10Jan1954Guest
Helping you trace your British Family History & British Genealogy.
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