Service Record: Edward Bassett

[juliab0112]

Hello Forum,
My interest in Naval History stems from my Family History research. My Grandfather was Edward Bassett, born 1896 in St.Ives, Cornwall. He joined the navy in 1916 aged 19 and began his very short navy career in Plymouth where his service record states he was a stoker.

I have a copy of his service record from the National Archives - his service number was K35289.
He served on HMS ARIADNE : 21st March 1917 - 26th July 1917. I know that HMS ARIADNE was sunk by a German U boat off Beachy Head in 1917 and my Grandfather survived but was wounded. He returned to HMS VIVID and was invilided out in 1918.

It would be excellent if someone could help me with interpreting some of the notes on that service record. For example, his age is noted on the record as FE, does anyone know what FE stands for?

I also have another ancestor who was in the Royal Navy during WW1 but I'd like to build up a picture of my Grandfather's life to start with.

Looking forward to reading the discussions on this forum, looks very interesting to me.

Best Wishes,
Julia

[herakles]

Welcome to the Forum Julia.

Perhaps you can place a copy of your grandfather's service record here for us to see. Are you able to scan it?

[tonclass]

Hi Julia, as Herk said, if you can scan his record and post it on the site, we might be able interpret it for you, as Naval records were always written 'In House' and your average layman would need a 'Naval translators dictionary' to decifer what was actually written ;-)

[juliab0112]

Yes, I have scanned the record and attached it.
Thank you for the fast reply.

[Joseph]

Hi,

The FE stands for 'First Entry'.

Regards Charles

[historydavid]

Julia, the minelayer ARIADNE was sunk by UC 65 and lost 35 men.

[juliab0112]

Thank you Charles - FE mystery now solved.

David - thanks for the additional info on the Ariadne.

I have found a transcription from an Irish Newspaper in 1917 that was posted on one of the rootsweb bulletin boards. I am copying the transcription here just in case others may be interested in the list of those crew members killed and wounded on the Ariadne. Its particularly good as it also notes the service numbers for all of these men.

internet source : http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/GENIRE/2002-04/1019180102

THE FREEMAN'S JOURNAL
AND NATIONAL PRESS
DUBLIN: MONDAY, AUGUST 6, 1917
PRICE ONE PENNY

CASUALTIES
THE GENERAL LIST
The week-end casualty list shows the following losses.-



THE NAVAL LISTS
The Secretary of the Admiralty announces the following casualties:-
H.M.S. ARIADNE.
_____
KILLED
Allen, Arthur, leading seaman, 212270; Baker, Frank, stoker, 1st class,
K18856; Battershell, Leonard Stephen, cook's mate, M13410; Brown, Joseph,
stoker, 1st class, 88112877; Carlin, William, stoker, 1st class, (Rfr.
B11844), 287303; Clarke, Alfred, ship's corporal, 1st class, 190156;
Dewdney, Richard, chief stoker, R.N.R, 53268; Griffiths, William George,
act. stoker, petty officer, K2750; Hackett, Edmund Joseph, leading stoker,
300246; Hannon, Joseph, officer's steward, 3rd class, L9349; Hannaford,
william, chief stoker, 276532; Harrison ,Harry, boy, 1st class, J55329;
Head, Archibald, stoker, 1st class, 307972; Hedgecock, William Ernest,
stoker, 2nd class, K38995; Hickson, Samuel, able seaman, J400470; Higgins,
William, stoker, 1st class, K28257; Hill, Isaac, Blacksmith's mate, 310448;
Hutchins, William George, off-steward, 3rd class, L10012; Jenkins, Alfred,
E.R.A., 4th class, M12727; Jenkins, John, stoker, 1st class (Rfr. B/770),
341736; Key, Albert John, stoker, 2nd class, 280054; Langemaid, Josiah,
stoker, 2nd class, K38369; Laverty, William, stoker, 1st class, 88114077;
Meunter, Tom, stoker, 2nd class, K38646; Overton, Robert, petty officer, 1st
class, 180037; Perrin, Geo., private, R.M.L.J. ???/18812; Pudner, Gilbert,
able seaman, 164857; Rickard, Walter, stoker, 2nd class, K38347; Russell,
Hugh, private, R.M.L.I., Ply./ 13139; Vanstene, William John, petty officer,
179166; Wainwright, James, stoker, R.N.R., 61948; Warren, Thos. stoker,
2nd...[missing from torn paper] ; Watts, William J... [lines missing from
broken fold in paper]...Williams, Thomas Edward, stoker, 1st class (Rfr.
B/5910), SS108790.

WOUNDED
Bassett, Edard, stoker, 2nd class, K35289; Brickels, Thomas, stoker, R.N.R.,
5343S; Carthew, Wm Henry, stoker, 1st class, K18067; Chapman, Bert Charles,
ordinary seaman, J63971; Duckworth, Austin, stoker, 1st class (Rfr. Dev.
B/4417), SS105341; Lawrence, Harold, ordinary seaman, J65246; Payton, Alfred
James, A.B., J22691; Pithers, Herbert Gladstone stoker, 2nd class, K38670.

All the above-named men belonged to the Devonport Port Division.

[juliab0112]

Could I ask another question about this service record please?

The last entry indicates that my Grandfather's pay was extended. Would that have been like a pension as he was invalided out or would that be related to the War Gratuity?
In the remarks column there is a hand written entry that looks like if:M:O:P.6.2.18.
6.2.18 would be 6th February 1918 but what does if:M.O.P. mean?

Can anyone help in deciphering that?
Many Thanks,
Julia

[Joseph]

Julia,

Its a letter to the Ministry of Pensions dated 06/02/1918.


Regards Charles