Service Record: Help Needed

[Roz1]

My name is Roz I am doing some reserch on my grandfather who was in the navy in 1916 I have some servis records which I cant make heat or tail out of.

Its like another language to me. I have tryed to look things up on the net have also had some explained to me but I am still none the wizer. What rank is a Boy and boy class 2? Is Vivid and Impregnable, Ramilles ships? Whats a ships book list and number
Can anybody help me ? will put up the records if it helps

[qprdave]

Hello Rz

Welcome to the Forum

Perhaps I can answer some of your questions

In the Navy a "Boy" (Later renamed Junior)was someone who joined at 14/15yrs old. He stayed in the grade of boy until he was promoted to Ordinary Seaman.

Vivid was the previous name for HMS Drake, which is the Naval Barracks at Plymouth.

Impregnable was a Training Ship/Hulk at Plymouth. That is an old ship that was life expired in the Royal Navy and retained, afloat for Training. Others would be used as store ships and accommodation ships.

Ramilles was a Battleship that was Launched 12th Sep 1916 and served through the two World Wars finally being sold in 1948

If I can make a suggestion. Scan your Grandfathers service Docs onto your computer and post them here. Many members are very experienced in decyphering them.

Good luck with your research

Dave

[emason]

Hello Roz, welcome to the Forum. There is a wealth of information in these forums. If you type in the words "service records" into the search engine (3rd from the right on the top blue bar) you will find all sorts of information to help you interpret the entries on service records.

Also if you search for individual ships e.g. Impregnable and Ramilles, you may even find photographs of these ships with relevant information.

My knowledge is very limited, but I do know that HMS Vivid was a shore based training establishment.

Best of luck with your research. I have done it myself and it is very rewarding.

P.S. This crossed with Dave's posting.

[Roz1]

In my last post I stated I Couldn't make head nore tail out of my grandfathers navy servis records. All I really know is he served from 1916-1921.
I was told to scan them in and see if anybody out there can make any sence of them. There is some reference to RFA on navy records why would this be? My grandfather looks has if he may not been the perfect sailor. The writing is quite small and smuged so if there is difficuaty in reading I will write it up.

[qprdave]

Signed up for 12 years on 15th Sept 1918 from the age of 18
Impregnable
Boy II 6th Sep 1916
Boy I 6th Mar 1917

Vivid I 14th March 1917 -12 June 1917

Ramilles 13th June 1917
Ordinary Seaman 15th Sep 1918

Royal Oak 9th Oct 1918
20th Jan 1919 5 Days Cells
Deserted
Brought back from Desertion 1st Aug 1919
11th Aug 1919 5 Days Cells

Transferred from Plymouth Division to Chatham Division

Pembroke Chatham Barracks 20th Sept 1919 to 17th Nov 1919

Weymouth Light Cruiser of the Weymouth Class. Launched 18th Nov 1910

Erin Erin Class Battleship Launched 3rd Sep 1913

Invalided out through Epilepsy