Royal Naval Reserve (Personnel)

[jainso31]

The Royal Naval Reserve (RNR) was established in 1859 as a reserve force of officers and men of deep-sea merchant ships. By 1890 there were 20,000 men in the RNR.
Proposals for a naval reserve were discussed by the Registrar-General of Seamen as early as 1838 but it was not until the Royal Naval Reserve Act 1859 that provision was made for the Admiralty to maintain a reserve of up to 30,000 men. These men, recruited through local shipping offices came from among merchant seamen and fishermen and could be called upon for service in the Royal Navy in times of emergency.

2. Records of officers

2.1 Officers who served between 1862 and 1920
Service records of Royal Naval Reserve officers who served between 1862 and 1920, and of honorary officers from 1862 to 1960, are in ADM 240 arranged by rank and seniority.
They show details of merchant as well as naval service and are arranged in numerical order of commission. There are no separate indexes but some of the pieces can be used as indexes. Additional information can be found in the service cards and files in ADM 340. In particular, ADM 240/84-88 serves as an index to the records of service between 1914 and 1921 which are in ADM 240/37-50.
ADM 340 contains files and record-of-service cards, detailing the service of officers in the Royal Navy, the Royal Naval Reserve, the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve and the Women's Royal Naval Service (WRNS). Records of WRNS Officers can be searched and, for a fee, downloaded on DocumentsOnline. The Admiralty had traditionally recorded such information in books and registers, such as will be found in earlier ADM series. This new format - cards and files - was introduced early in the twentieth century for all officers then serving, including therefore some with service dating back to c.1880 (and possibly earlier still in a few cases). Some records in this series therefore detail service through both World Wars and into the 1950s.
The Fleet Air Arm Museum also holds record cards for RNR officers including: Executive (X); Engineers (E); Cadets; and Warrant Officer Telegraphic.

2.2 Officers who served between 1929-1950
These service records are still held by:
Navy Search
TNT Archives Services
Textron Point
William Nadine Way
Swadlincote
Derbyshire DE 11 0PB
Tel: (+44) 01283 227913
Fax: (+44) 01283 227942
Email: navysearch@pgrc.tnt.co.uk

2.3 Officers who served after 1950
PPPA (Pay, Pensions, Personnel, Administration),
Centurion Building,
Grange Road,
Gosport, Hampshire, PO13 9XA.

2.4 The Navy List

RNR officers were first included in the Navy List in 1862. The official Navy List, published from 1814, contains much information of value to the naval historian and genealogist alike. During the two world wars much of the usual information was omitted from the published editions of the Navy List and confined to confidential editions for service use only. This series, Confidential Navy Lists (ADM 177), together with a complete set of published Navy Lists, can be found in the Open Reading Room at The National Archives. For RNR officers the Navy List gives name, rank, date of commission, and seniority. It should also indicate the names of the ships on which the officers served.

3. Records of ratings

RNR ratings serving between 1860-1908
A representative sample of RNR ratings service records is available in BT 164. These records can now be searched on DocumentsOnline by name, year of birth, place of birth and service number. The records record a seaman's personal details and also provide a record of training and service, and of the retainers paid. The original records consist of volumes and cards, each page or card representing five years' service in the RNR. Any individual reservist may therefore be entered in several volumes or cards. Letters (A, B, etc) were given to successive five-year terms.

3.2 RNR ratings serving between 1908-1958
These records, arranged in service number, are held on microfiche in series BT 377. Name indexes are available within the same series on microfilm covering the period back to 1860. It is important to note that as the medal rolls also provide a man's service number, it may be far quicker to look for his medals before looking for a service record (see section on medals).
The document ADM 23/170 gives information on Admiralty pensions granted to RNR ratings from 1922 to 1925.
It may also be worthwhile checking the service records of Merchant Seamen for the war period. World War Two naval operational records may be helpful if you have the names of the ships or convoys. The Fleet Air Arm Museum also hold the original records for RNR ratings from 1908-1955.

4. Royal Fleet Auxiliaries

In 1911, the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) was also formed. This arose from difficulties over the legal position of the crew of the hospital ship Maine, commissioned in 1902 with a civilian crew, although it was one of HM ships and part of the Mediterranean Fleet. Until 1921 the officers of the Royal Fleet Auxiliaries were nearly all RNR officers and ranked accordingly. Since then they have been ranked as other merchant navy officers.
The Fleet Air Arm Museum holds the crew books for Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) and Mercantile Fleet Auxiliary (MFA) (1915-1920 approx.). These contain alphabetical indexes of ships, crew lists (entries and discharges), rates of pay, next-of-kin, etc. See www.fleetairarm.com for more details:

5. Royal Naval Reserve trawler section - RNR(T)

The RNR was generally confined to officers and men of deep sea merchantmen but in 1911 it was felt that there was a need to employ trawlers in wartime as minesweepers and patrol vessels. The Royal Naval Reserve Trawler Section - RNR(T) was set up to enrol the necessary personnel. Although abolished as a separate section of the RNR in 1921, the RNR(T) always remained quite distinct from the RNR proper, and employed fishermen. In both world wars a large number of trawlers were taken up by the Royal Navy complete with their crews, who were entered on a form T124 by which they engaged to serve in a named vessel for the duration of the war only. Fishermen on a T124 formed the bulk of the RNR(T) during the First World War.
Service records of ratings who served in the RNR (T) can be found in BT 377/7. Their service numbers were prefixed with the letters DA, ES, SA, SB, or TS. The records of ratings whose service numbers begin with SBC have not survived.

6. Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNVR)

The Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNVR), founded in 1903, was a force of officers and ratings undertaking naval training in their spare time, but not professionally employed at sea like the RNR. During both world wars the RNVR was the principal means by which officers could enter the Royal Navy for the period of the war only. In 1958, the RNR and the RNVR were amalgamated to form the present day RNR.

7. Shetland Royal Naval Reserve

In 1914, a separate organisation of the RNR was formed on the Shetland Islands. Known as the Shetland Royal Naval Reserve it was unlike the regular RNR in that it was a coast-watching and local defence organisation. It was disbanded in 1921.
Records for ratings who served in the Shetland Royal Naval Reserve are also found in BT 377/7 - the letter L prefixes their service numbers.

8. Royal Naval Division

From 1914 to 1916 a number of officers and ratings of the RNR served ashore in Flanders as infantry and formed the Royal Naval Division. In 1916 the Division was transferred to the army as the 63rd (Royal Naval) Division.
Records of Service for the Royal Naval Division (ADM 339) are available on DocumentsOnline. This includes records for ratings/others ranks (ADM 339/1), ratings/other ranks - discharged dead (ADM 339/2), and officers (ADM 339/3).
It is also possible to see the war diaries and operational orders for the Royal Naval Division in WO 95/3118-3119, WO 95/4290-4291 and ADM 137/3063-3088d.
Royal Naval Division (RND) Record Cards for the Divisional Engineers, Divisional Train, RM Medical Unit and Ordnance Company are held at the Fleet Air Arm Museum and not at The National Archives.

9. Mercantile Marine Reserve

The Mercantile Marine Reserve (MMR) was formed of merchant seamen serving on merchant vessels requisitioned by the Admiralty for wartime service, some of whom may also have served in the Royal Naval Reserve. Service details can therefore be sought from BT 377. Although there is no separate sequence of service records, it may be possible to trace an individual who received the MMR medal in BT 351. Digital images of the medal cards in BT 351/1/1 and BT 351/1/2 can be searched and downloaded from DocumentsOnline. It is also possible that records of service may be found among the merchant seamen's records of service.

10. Medals

Records relating to the award of the RNR Long Service medal are in ADM 171/70, ADM 171/71, and ADM 171/72. Honours and Awards for the RNR during the First World War are in ADM 171/77. Each volume is arranged in alphabetical order, although not strictly within each letter. Papers on awards to RNR officers during the Second World War are in BT 164/23.
The Roll of the Naval War Medals also contains entries for the RNR - officers in ADM 171/92-93 and ratings in ADM 171/120-124.

11. Records not held at The National Archives

Although no service records for RNR Officers are held at the Fleet Air Arm Museum, the Museum does hold an extensive series of nearly 100 First World War pay and appointing ledgers for officers of the RNR, RNVR and RNAS. These can offer useful information on pay movements (including tax bills and probate) to complement the officers' records held at The National Archives.
The National Maritime Museum does not hold the official records of the Royal Navy, however, it does have extensive collections of books, photographs, paintings, prints, drawings and manuscripts dealing with most aspects of the Royal Navy.


jainso31

[KizmeRD]

Hello Jim,
Thanks for your splendid pot-boiler on the naval reserves.
I thought at first you were confining your writing to merchant navy mariners and professional fishermen who undertook training so that they could be called upon for service in the Royal Navy in times of emergency - but as you also go on the refer to the civilian RNVR element too, then it's only fair to complete the listing by giving an honourable mention to the following units too:
The Royal Naval Volunteer (Supplementary) Reserve
The Royal Naval Volunteer (Wireless) Reserve
The Royal Naval Volunteer (Postal) Reserve)
The Royal Naval Emergency Reserve
The Royal Naval Special Reserve
The Women's Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
The Women's Royal Naval Supplementary Reserve
The Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing Service Reserve

Oh, and while were about it, we can't possibly neglect The Royal Fleet Reserve (former full-timers) - and even the Royal Marines Reserve.

Michael

[KizmeRD]

And there was also the Royal Navy Auxilliary Sick Berth Reserve RNASBR during WW1 (hopefully that now completes the set).
Michael

[jainso31]

Thank you for your interest and supplement +postscript.I thought it useful as a
"What's it all about"Guide.My father served in the RNR from 1923-1948 including WW2 RN service and he was awarded the RNR LSGC medal and 2nd award bar and Gratuity,

jainso31

[KizmeRD]

Yes, it's sometimes quite difficult for non-service family researchers to fathom out the various naval reserves. Good Job Jim.
Michael

[jainso31]

RNR Units

The modern RNR has fourteen Royal Naval Reserve Units (with six satellite units). These are:
HMS Scotia (Rosyth)
Tay Division (Dundee) (Formally HMS Camperdown)
HMS Cambria (Sully, Wales)
Tawe Division (Swansea)
HMS Dalriada (Greenock)
Govan Division
HMS Flying Fox (Bristol)
HMS Calliope (Gateshead)
Ceres Division (Leeds)
HMS President (London)
Medway Division (Chatham, Kent)
HMS Eaglet (Liverpool)
Menai Division (Llandudno)
HMS Vivid (Devonport)
HMS Sherwood (Nottingham)
HMS King Alfred (Portsmouth)
HMS Forward (Birmingham)
HMS Hibernia (Lisburn)
HMS Wildfire (Northwood)
HMS Ferret (Chicksands)
Personnel in the Royal Naval Reserve Air Branch are not attached to a single RNR Unit, but complete their training on regular Fleet Air Arm Units; and administered through Staff Offices at RNAS Yeovilton and Culdrose.
The University Royal Naval Units, although under the jurisdiction of BRNC Dartmouth, are also a part of the Royal Naval Reserve. Students hold the honorary ranks of Officer Cadet (in their first year of enrolment) and Midshipman RNR (from the second year onward) provided they have completed the issued 'Taskbooks' to the satisfaction of the Commanding Officer of each unit.

jainso31

[KizmeRD]

Originally Posted by jainso31

RNR Units

Students hold the honorary ranks of Officer Cadet (in their first year of enrolment) and Midshipman RNR (from the second year onward) jainso31

Yes, but the essential thing here is that URNU students hold honorary ranks and do not come under the provisions of the Navy Discipline Act - they can't be called up to serve in the case of an emergency, in much the same way as Sea Cadet Officers are permitted to carry RNR ranks. In other words they wear naval uniform, but there's no compulsory duty to serve, or liability to be mobilized.
Michael

[jainso31]

Thank you Michael for putting me in the picture about URNU students and Honorary raks,etc.

jainso31

[jainso31]

TRAINING

All Royal Naval Reservists are attached to a unit where they will learn new skills, make new friends and take on some exciting duties.

We have 22 units spread across the UK, and they’re all unique. Some are steeped in history, while others have been recently added to the service. Some units share their facilities with other military organisations, while others stand alone. Nineteen of our units deliver initial training while three other ‘specialist’ units provide intelligence and aviation training.

All units share the same goal – to provide the best possible military training to our Reservists. We have good training facilities. As well as classrooms, you may also find gyms, recreational facilities and sports equipment. Full-time and part-time training staff are on hand to help you get to the required naval standard, so that you’re ready to serve with the Royal Navy on operations. The weekly training evenings are supplemented by training weekends, which often see unit members travelling to other naval and military establishments around the country.

The training can be demanding, but the ‘buzz’ you get from doing the job for real makes it all worthwhile. Many of our Reservists have been awarded medals for service on NATO operations in Iraq (Operation Telic) and Afghanistan (Operation Herrick).

Each unit has its own special atmosphere – friendly but purposeful. They have their own bars, creating a good ‘mess life’. You can get a sense of the character of your local unit at an Open evening, where you’ll have the chance to find out more about joining the Royal Naval Reserve. It’s a great opportunity to meet and talk with serving members in a relaxed setting. Check the Unit’s Events page for the next Open evening – you’ll find our units are very welcoming to eligible applicants from all ethnic backgrounds.

Service life is very varied and never dull. Most units are affiliated with a warship in the Royal Navy, and Reservists often meet up with their fulltime colleagues for training or socialising. Units will arrange sports days and social activities, which can involve the whole unit getting together and raising funds for the ship’s charity. Most units are also affiliated with local military and civic organisations. Reservists often represent the Royal Navy at events like Remembrance Ceremonies, Military tattoos, the Lord Mayor’s Parade, Navy Days, and Trafalgar Day services. It’s all part of the Naval life

jainso31

[KizmeRD]

Jim,
Thanks for your last posting which paints a glowing picture of life in today's RNR.
Given all that, why wouldn't any young lad or lassie want to sign-on?,
- especially as there's absolutely no mention of having to go to sea!
Michael

[jainso31]

Yes Michael but they do "sneakily" make mention of NATO operations and the award of medals; and "being ready to serve with the Royal Navy on operations"-ships inferred but as you say- not openly stated.Thanks for the reply.

jainso31

[KizmeRD]

Originally Posted by jainso31

The training can be demanding, but the ‘buzz’ you get from doing the job for real makes it all worthwhile. Many of our Reservists have been awarded medals for service on NATO operations in Iraq (Operation Telic) and Afghanistan (Operation Herrick).

jainso31

Don't get me wrong Jim, I was RNR myself. However its a whole different world doing the job of a pongo on land in Afganistan and Iraq, than how it used to be at sea in our own squadron of minesweepers.
The guys today have to worry about stepping on IED's, we simply had to deal with the threat of naval mines (I know what I prefer) - but God bless today's generation - in some ways they have greater opportunities to make a meaningful contribution, but they'll never know the joy of serving at sea in a ship completely manned by reservists.
Michael

[jainso31]

but they'll never know the joy of serving at sea in a ship completely manned by reservists.

That statement does baffle me somewhat Michael. It poses the very serious question of why have a Reserve which is never going to be used on ships.I really do not understand that at all.

jainso31

[harry.gibbon]

TRAINING

............Full-time and part-time training staff are on hand to help you get to the required naval standard, so that you’re ready to serve with the Royal Navy on operations.

Does that sentence relate to the naval operations being at sea or as required whatever/wherever the RN is deployed?

Little h

[ap1]

What's happened to the thread title since your post, little H?

[harry.gibbon]

Originally Posted by ap1

What's happened to the thread title since your post, little H?

'Twern't me matey, t'was all adrift before I put finger to keyboard.

So in the age old way I says "Not me Chief not guilty"

Little h

[harry.gibbon]

Originally Posted by harry.gibbon

TRAINING

............Full-time and part-time training staff are on hand to help you get to the required naval standard, so that you’re ready to serve with the Royal Navy on operations.

Does that sentence relate to the naval operations being at sea or as required whatever/wherever the RN is deployed?

Little h

Belay that, I have found the answer in the Royal Navy website RNR FAQ's

Little h

[KizmeRD]

There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that the best experiences I ever had in the RNR were during seagoing deployments in the 10th MCM Squadron. At that time each RNR unit had their own Ton class minesweeper or hunter and were trained to man these ships entirely (seamen, stokers, greenies, RO’s, chefs and officers). However these beloved but aging ships finally had to be withdrawn and during 1984-86 the brand new River Class MSF’s were introduced into RNR service, capable of performing Extra Deep Armed Team Sweeping (providing protection against Soviet anti-submarine mines). However the operational life of these ships was comparatively short lived and by 1993 the decision had been taken to withdraw them from RNR service. Eventually all were sold off to overseas navies.

Following the end of the Cold War, a series of defence cutbacks were implemented which saw the RNR being down-sized and allocated new roles. Options for Change in 1990 reduced the RNR by 1,200 personnel, and as previously mentioned, in 1993 the ships were taken away. Then following on from that, the Strategic Defence Review in 1998 resulted in a drastic restructuring of the RNR. Thereafter it reverted to simply being a pool of personnel able to augment the Fleet, (although mainly limited to logistics & communications roles).

Following experience gained during the second Gulf War, it had become clear that there was a need to relieve 'stretch' in the regular order of battle, in situations short of full mobilization. Henceforth the RNR was no longer to be a reserve of last resort, but instead was to be available to deploy reservists more flexibly anywhere, anytime. At this time too, the Above Water Force Protection branch was created, followed shortly by the Under-Water Force Protection Branch (divers) in order to provide additional protection to RN warships in potentially dangerous ports and places around the world. Added to this the RNR today continues to support a wide range of niche specialisms, plus there's the RNR Medical Branch which also plays an important role in overseas operations, as proved in both Iraq and in Afghanistan.

RNR training still ensures that ratings are safe to go to sea and covers a range of sea survival, damage control and fire-fighting training. Individuals may well find themselves serving afloat in RN warships, but they are no longer deployed as an entire seagoing element (as they were organised post WW2 until the ending of the Cold War).

The structure and capabilities of the modern RNR arises directly from the needs of the Royal Navy, of which it is an integral part.

Michael

[harry.gibbon]

Here are a couple of the Q's lifted from the Royal Naval Reserve FAQ's

------------------
Q:Are the jobs in the Royal Naval Reserve the same as those in the Royal Navy?

No they are not. Members of the RNR serve in support of their fulltime colleagues and undertake different, but equally important tasks. It is neither practical, cost-effective, nor appropriate to offer all the Royal Navy’s roles to people serving part-time.

Q:I have previous Royal Navy service - am I guaranteed a place in the RNR?

Wherever possible the Naval Service aims to retain expertise, but as the RNR undertakes different roles to the Royal Navy, so it may be that we don’t require your specialisation. Find out more about opportunities for ex-Regular personnel here Transfer-Opportunities

-----------------

Quite surprised me, those two answers above, as did the contents of the link which supplements the answer to second question.

Little h

[KizmeRD]

Here's a fuller list of roles available to Royal Naval Reservists today (some of the branches are officer only). Not many readily equate to regular RN specializations.

Above Water Force Protection - Armed sentries, also working with RM Fleet Protection Group.

Under Water Force Protection - Underwater searches and minor diving tasks in and about ports & harbours.

Information Operations - providing assistance with produce plans, information and materials to give military commanders.

Logistics - usually based on shore at a Forward Logistics Site.

Maritime Trade Operations - interface between commercial merchant shipping companies and the Royal Navy.

Intelligence - operational intelligence analyst, gathering and assessing information on the movements of ships and aircraft.

Media Operations – accompanying news hounds attached to RN units, or working in the Press Information Centre.

Mine Warfare – mainly working in the Mine Counter Measure Tasking Authority (MCMTA).

Amphibious Warfare Officer – SNO on Commercially Chartered Ships, or working in the ops room on an amphibious ship.

Sub Ops - specialist officer working in a maritime HQ
.
Medical Officer – Doctor caring for armed forces personnel, at sea (RFA Argus) or on land.

Nurse - a member of the Queen Alexandra’s Royal Naval Nursing Service (Reserves).

Air Branch – Pilots & Observers (ex regulars only)

Comms Tech – Secret squirrels (ex regular only)

Chaplins - Padres

[ap1]

Nothing to say; I've just fixed the thread title spelling! I think

[ap1]

A 1950 view on the RNR; rates of retainers were quite attractive.

© Crown Copyright/MoD (1950).

THE ROYAL NAVAL RESERVE.

BY

COMMANDER (E) D. S. HOLT-WILSON, DSO., R.N.

Engineer Officer on the Staff of the Admiral Commanding Reserves.

Historical Introduction

The earliest recorded approach to an effective permanent reserve naval force
was provided by the ships belonging to the Confederation of the Cinque Ports
which came into existence somewhere about the time of the Norman conquest.
Precedents establishing a right to requisition ships go back at least to the
beginning of the thirteenth century and by the fourteenth century. “The practice
of the Crown in calling up merchant ships was a part of the King's claim to
the services of all his subjects, upon which the right of impressment was
also based ".

The special interest attached to these early precedents for requisitioning is
that throughout all the intervening centuries, regardless of changes in the
Royal prerogative and the establishment of a succession of statutory laws, it
is still recognized that in times of great National peril it may be necessary,
at short notice, to take special requisitioning measures for the Defence of
the Realm.

In time of war the Merchant Navy must continue to function at its optimum
in the performance of its normal tasks. However, in spite of this acknowledged
necessity, it is still of supreme importance as a second line of naval defence.
It may become essential to requisition certain merchant shipping in order to
provide reinforcements, transports and supply ships for the fighting effort.
It is for the manning of such merchant ships, taken over by the Admiralty
in war-time, as well as for general service with the Royal Navy, that the Royal
Naval Reserve must be maintained.

Merchant Navy Officers who constitute the R.N.R. also provide expert advice
on convoy assembly, sea transport, naval control of shipping and other jobs
requiring an intimate knowledge of the Merchant Service.
Although for the better part of three hundred years there have been in
existence permanent officers of the Royal Navy, it was not until the long peace
period of the nineteenth century that we were wealthy enough to afford the
luxury of a specialized body of seamen retained for the Royal Navy alone.
On the introduction of Long-Term Service in 1853, the personnel for the
Royal Navy were no longer mainly drawn as hitherto from the whole great
pool of British seamen and fishermen.

If nothing had been done about this divergence there would have been a
serious danger that the Royal Navy would have no “natural seamen-reserves"
to fall back upon. Fortunately this was soon appreciated; in 1859, only
six years later, the modern Royal Naval Reserve was established, though for
the first two and a half years of its existence it was without any officers of its
own, the first R.N.R. officers not being authorized until 1861.

It is felt that reference must here be made to a further reserve for the Royal
Navy, which was conceived in its modern form in 1903 and known as the
Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, but it should be remembered the Royal Naval
Reserve is in every way just as much a voluntary reserve.

Our Naval commitments in modern times are such that they cannot possibly
be met from the professional seafaring section of the community alone, and it
is interesting to note that towards the end of the 1939-45 war only about
25 per cent. of the executive officers belonged to the R.N. and R.N.R. (the
R.N. members being slightly the greater), and the remaining 75 per cent. were
R.N.V.R. Many were the merry quips about the peace-time Navy!
At the present time all officers and men actually serving at sea in or being
trained for the Merchant Navy are deferred from compulsory National Service
under the Armed Forces Act.

THE POST-WAR R.N.R.

On mobilization at the beginning of the 1939-45 war, entry into the Reserves
ceased and the R.N.R. was not reconstituted again until June 1949.
An inaugural meeting was held in October 1949 between the Admiralty
represented by the Admiral Commanding Reserves, Senior Officers of the
R.N.R., and representatives of the Shipping Industry and Trade Unions.
A number of matters in the old regulations had to be reconsidered and
brought up-to-date and questions of conditions of service, pay and pensions,
etc., reviewed.

One or two questions cropped up such as is a First Class ship one that
only carries first class passengers and is there any " double entendre " when
reference is made to an officer's “Capacity " while undergoing training ;
however, a satisfactory understanding was quickly reached between all parties
on the post-war revival of the Royal Naval Reserve. An initial establishment
of 1,400 officers and 2,000 ratings has been approved by the Board of Admiralty
and agreement made that the Admiralty will call up men on mobilization in
consultation with the Ministry of Transport, who will do their best to meet
requirements.

The strength of the R.N.R. in June 1949 (i.e., those remaining from pre-war)
was 853 officers and 607 men and recruiting up to establishment was begun
again on 1st February 1950.

Officers are recruited in the Executive, Engineering and Supply and Secretariat
Branches and ratings are enrolled in the Seaman and Engine Room Branches.
All officers are eligible for promotion up to the rank of Captain and in the
Executive Branch the rank of Commodore 2nd Class can be attained.

The object of training of R.N.R. Executive officers is to fit them as watchkeepers,
First Lieutenants and Commanding Officers. They may also volunteer
to specialize in Navigation or for the Submarine Service.

Supply and Secretariat and Engineer officers are trained in the general duties
of their branches.
The general terms of service and periods of training are much the same as
before the war.

The main body of the R.N.R. is composed of officers and men chiefly recruited
from the Merchant Navy. There is also a section, recruited from the Fishing
Fleet, known as the Patrol Service.

The Supply Branch of the R.N.R. is being restricted to seagoing Pursers.
Gentlemen from the Bank of England and other such candidates who used
to join the R.N.R. as Paymasters will in future be eligible for the R.N.V.R. only.

ENGINEER OFFICERS.

Out of the approved establishment of 1,400 officers for the R.N.R. some
500 are required as Engineer Officers.
As the Merchant Navy is at present extremely short of certificated engineers
in addition to those serving at sea, it has been decided that, provided they
are otherwise qualified, those who have left the sea but are still connected
with Marine Engineering should be eligible to join. A ship-owner's representative
has remarked, however, that if such gentlemen could be found they
would be wholeheartedly welcomed back to sea ! There are at present only
25 Engineer Officers remaining in the R.N.R. from pre-war days, but it is hoped
to build up to the required number over a period of years.

It goes without saying that the sooner anyone enrols after obtaining the
necessary qualifications the greater the chances of furthering their own interest,
regards seniority and promotion.
Appointments of officers are made by the Admiralty. Apart from the
necessary professional qualifications all candidates for a commission have to
appear before an Admiralty Selection Board, and have to pass a medical
examination.

Gun Room Officers on reaching 23 years of age mess in the Ward Room.
Merchant Navy Officers and others who are eligible and desire to receive
commissions or appointments in the R.N.R. apply in the first instance to the
Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen or some out-port Registrar who
furnishes them with the necessary application form.

Entry

Engineer Officers may be entered direct either as Sub-Lieutenants (E) or
Lieutenants (E).
The qualifications for entry as Sub-Lieutenant (E) are, over 21 and under
27 years of age, possession of a 2nd Class Certificate of Competency, and
production of satisfactory records of sea service. In addition to this the
entrant must certify that it is his intention to follow the sea as a profession,
at least until he has obtained his 1st Class Certificate of Competency.

For direct entry as a Lieutenant (E) the qualifications are, under 30 years
of age, possession of a 1st Class Certificate of Competency and production
of satisfactory records of service. This service may be either entirely at sea
or may include some shore service, shore-going engineers being eligible
provided that, being qualified as above, they are employed on approved practical
engineering work.

Entry either as Sub-Lieutenant (E) or Lieutenant (E) is initially on a probationary
basis. Confirmation is subject to completion of three months
continuous naval training and being recommended as suitable.
The question of enrolment of Midshipmen (E) has been considered, but as
the four years apprenticeship and training of the young gentlemen for the
Merchant Navy would not normally be completed until they were about
21 years of age, it has been decided that the earliest entry as an Engineer
Officer should be direct as a Sub-Lieutenant (E).

Transfer of Ex-Temporary Officers to the Permanent R.N.R.

In order to fill the gap in the Seniority List caused by the cessation of officer
entry during the war and in order that gentlemen who, but for the war, would
have applied for commissions or appointments in the R.N.R., may have an
opportunity of joining the Reserve, a scheme has been introduced whereby
gentlemen, who during the war held temporary commissions as Engineer
Officers, provided they are fully qualified to hold a commission in the R.N.R.,
are eligible for transfer to the permanent list of R.N.R. officers.

Candidates are required to come before the Admiralty Selection Board and
to pass a medical examination similarly to that mentioned above.
This scheme does not apply to gentlemen who served only on Admiralty
Agreement T.124 and its variants. They are, however, fully entitled to enrol
in the normal manner if qualified.

Those who are selected for transfer to the R.N.R. are entered in the substantive
rank they held on release from naval service with seniority adjusted for
time out and mobilized service counts towards increments of pay.
With the exception of certain regulations as regards training and training
fees referred to below, the normal R.N.R. Regulations apply to these officers.

Training and Service in the R.N.

Training may be in the nature of a course, periodical with the Fleet or some
form of additional voluntary training as may be instituted from time to time.
Applications by Engineer Officers must be made to the Registrar General
at least 14 days beforehand, giving the necessary particulars as to address,
date and time and period of training for which the application is being made.

Joining instructions are issued by the Admiral Commanding Reserves.
Obligatory periods of training are:
Probationary Engineer Officers three months' continuous training within
one year of appointment.
Ex-Temporary officers, one month's refresher course as soon as practicable
after entry.
Sub-Lieutenants (E) and Lieutenants (E), 28 days every two years.
Lieutenant Commanders (E) and Commanders (E), 28 days every three years.
There is no obligatory training laid down for Captains (E).

In addition to periodical training, Engineer Officers are required to undergo
a qualifying period of four months' continuous training at any time after
obtaining their First Class Certificate of Competency.

Training fees accrue from the date of completion of this four months' training.
Ex-temporary officers are exempt from this qualifying training, provided
they have six months mobilized service and those with between three and six
months' service need only complete an additional one month's continuous
training.

Promotion

To be qualified for promotion to Lieutenant (E) a Sub-Lieutenant (E) must
have attained two years seniority, completed 28 days naval training in the
rank and possess a 1st Class Certificate of Competency.

To be qualified for promotion to Lieutenant-Commander (E), a Lieutenant (E)
must have attained eight years seniority (including any probationary time) and
completed the qualifying period of four months continuous training.
Exemption from this qualifying period may be granted to ex-Temporary
Officers as mentioned under “Training” above.
Promotions to Commander (E) and Captain (E) are made half-yearly by
selection from among those in the zone and qualified by periodical training.
The present zones for promotion are three years and over for Lieutenant-
Commander (E) and eight years and over for Commanders (E).

All promotions in any rank, whether in normal course or by selection, are
consequent upon satisfactory records and good reports of service.

Retirement and Removal

Officers may be placed on the retired list at the discretion of the Admiralty
in the rank held on retirement, provided that they have attained the rank a
Lieutenant or above, have 15 years' service in the R.N.R. over the age of I8
and have a satisfactory service record.
Officers on the Retired List are not permitted to undergo naval training on
courses in peace time. In the event of the Reserves being called out by Royal
Proclamation in time of emergency all R.N.R. officers are rendered liable for
service if required, whether they are on the active or retired list.

The age for compulsory retirement or removal from the Active List is 55
years for Captains (E), 50 years for Commanders (E) and 45 years for Lieutenant
Commanders (E).
Lieutenants (E) will be removed from the Active List on attaining eight years
seniority in the rank if they have not qualified for promotion.
Sub-Lieutenants (E) will be removed from the Active List if they have not
qualified for promotion on attaining the age of 30.

Pay

Rates of pay and allowances for R.N.R. Officers when undergoing training,
or when called out are the same as those for officers of corresponding rank
in the R.N.

Training Fees

Training fees are paid to qualified R.N.R. officers at the rate of £30 a year
for those of Sub-Lieutenant's rank and £35 a year for those of Lieutenant's
rank and above, provided they are up-to-date with their obligatory training.

The Royal Naval Reserve Decoration

Gentlemen who have a total officers' service in the R.N.R. of at least 15 year
and who have completed the period of qualifying training laid down, may have
conferred on them the R.N.R. Officers' Decoration. This decoration has;
beautiful sea green and white ribbon and carries with it the right to put R.D
after their names. All officers’ time counts for this except that as Midshipman.

ENGINE ROOM DEPARTMENT RATINGS.

Method of Recruitment

Ratings are recruited from the professional Seamen of the Merchant Navy
and Fishing Fleets.

There are two sections-General Service: Engine Room Artificer and
Stoker Mechanic rates, and Patrol Service: Enginemen and Stoker Mechanic
rates.

Enrolments are made for General Service (R.N.R.) or Patrol Service (R.N.R
(P.S.)) according to civil occupation and personal inclination. The number
of each class of rating depend upon Admiralty requirements. When mobilized
all ratings are liable for home or foreign service.

Qualification for Entry

Among the general qualifications for entry into the R.N.R. are that a candidate
must be British, be able to speak and understand the English language, be able
to sign his own name and be free from any kind of physical disability.

Men who have any liability for service in any other of His Majesty's Forces
or in the Police Forces are not eligible, nor are certain employees in H.M.
Dockyards. Application for enrolment is made in the first instance to the
Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen or one of the local Registrars.
Rates of pay and allowances during training are the same as for the Royal
Navy and ratings with previous mobilized service in the Navy can count this
towards increments of pay.

Retainers

Retaining fees are paid subject to completion of the training requirement
at the daily rate of 1s. 6d. for Chief and Petty Officers; 1s. 3d. for Leading
Stoker Mechanic and 1s. for Stoker Mechanic.

Former Service

Ratings with previous Naval Service can count this time towards good conduct
badges and those who held higher rates are advanced to that which they held
on release on successive days after enrolment as Stoker Mechanic.

Age Limits

The age limits for entry are between l8 and 27 years for Stoker Mechanics,
between 22 and 35 years for Enginemen and between 21 and 35 years for
Engine Room Artificers.

Long Service and Good Conduct Medal

Men who satisfactorily complete 15 years' service with “Very Good "
character and have performed the requisite training may be awarded the Royal
Naval Reserve Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, provided they are
recommended by the Registrar-General.

Stoker Mechanics

Entry
In order to enrol as a Stoker Mechanic, either for General Service or the
Patrol Service, satisfactory evidence must be produced of having been employed
either at sea or ashore for at least six months as a Greaser, Fireman, Trimmer
or Furnaceman. This must include some such service within the preceding
twelve months and a declaration has also to be made that it is intended to
follow this same calling either at sea or ashore for at least five years from the
date of enrolment.

The question as to qualifying service is determined by the local Registrar
who, in cases of doubt, forwards the papers to the Registrar-General.

Training
Stoker Mechanic ratings who have previous service in H.M. Forces have
to carry out 56 days training in periods of 14 days in four out of the five years
of the engagement. If they have no previous service an additional 14 days
has to be carried out, making the initial training period 28 days and the total
70 days during their first engagement.

The initial training period is carried out at a Naval Depot and subsequent
training is either afloat or ashore. The intention is that the majority of training
shall be afloat.

Advancement

The details of advancement regulations have not yet been finalized but
advancement to Leading Stoker Mechanic and Petty Officer Stoker Mechanic
will be based on the same lines as in the R.N.

General

Men who in civil life are qualified for employment as Engineman in the
Fishing Fleet are enrolled in the Patrol Service with a view to serving in a
similar capacity in the Reserve.

The rating of Engineman is equivalent to Petty Officer to begin with and
advancement can be gained to Chief Petty Officer status.

Enginemen are entered provisionally as Stoker Mechanics (for Engineman)
and advanced to Enginemen on satisfactory completion of the initial training.
If they are not then recommended as satisfactory for this advancement they
may remain as Stoker Mechanics with a view to advancement in the ordinary
course, otherwise they are discharged.

During the initial training period they are paid as Stoker Mechanics. When
they are advanced to Engineman they are back-dated so that their seniority
dates from the commencement of training and they also receive the difference
of back pay.

Entry
Anyone who has served as an Engineman of a British Fishing Vessel for at
least a year, including service in that capacity within six months of application
is eligible to be enrolled as a Provisional Stoker Mechanic (for Engineman),
provided his employers give him a satisfactory conduct and that he declares
he intends to follow the sea in the same capacity during the period of his
enrolment.
Particulars of qualification are determined by the local Registrar, who, if
unable to verify them refers to the Registrar-General.
Men with former service who held Petty Officer or Leading rate are entitled
to be re-advanced on successive days after enrolment to the rate which they
held on release, but are not advanced to Engineman until after satisfactory
completion of the initial training.
There are normal provisos for those with previous service in the Royal Navy
as regards having had a V.G. character.

Training
The periods of training commitment for Engineman are the same as for
Stoker Mechanic.

Engine Room Artificer

Entry

Entry into the R.N.R. as Engine Room Artificers is intended to provide an
opening for un-certificated Engineers of the Merchant Navy and certain others
serving ashore in approved employment.
The qualifications required for entry are the same as for Acting 4th Class
E.R.A. in the Royal Navy.

The general principle for acceptance into the R.N.R. as an E.R.A. is that,
in addition to being up to certain educational standard and being fully apprenticed
at one of the trades laid down (Fitter, Fitter and Turner, Boilermaker,
Coppersmith or Enginesmith), they should be men who are experienced in
and having an understanding of marine engineering.

It is normally unnecessary to hold a trade test for entry as long as the
examining officer is satisfied as to an applicant's suitability and experience,
but local officers are entitled to impose such a test if they consider it necessary.

Training
E.R.As. are required to undergo three months training during each 5 years
engagement. The first period of three months training must be continuous
and must take place during the first year of enrolment. Training during
subsequent 5-year terms or engagements has to be undertaken during the first
three years of re-enrolment and may either be continuous or in periods of not
less than a month, provided at least one month's training is done in the
first year.

Advancement
Advancement through the different classes and to C.E.R.A. will be in
accordance with regulations to be laid down based on the normal R.N. practice.