Wooo.... WW1 Service record.

[Pandabean]

Just heard from the Fleet Air Museum that they have my Great Grandfather's Service record for the R.N.R. Firstly I wasnt expecing to hear back for over a year due to their busy workload and secondly it is rare to find to find service records due to most of them being destroyed and damaged during the WW2 bombings.

[Pandabean]

Actually I just recieved the record this morning in the post and confirms a few things such as why he was discharged, which was Pulmonary Tuberculosis. I cant make out half if the wording around the side and it also seems that he did not serve on any ships and was only in service for 8 months.

The other great thing is it tells me how he looked. He had a fresh complexion, 5ft 6 1/2' and had a long cut scar on his right elbow. There is also a mention of a letter from his wife who latter remarried saying that he had died of TB in 1917. It also states the medals he was given of which I do have. I could never find a MIC on the National Archives which was probably due to him being in the Royal Naval Reserve.

So it is really a big thanks to the Fleet Air Arm Museum.

[emanday]

Isn't it great to actually see these things? Much better that a transcription which is, let's face it, someone else's interpretation.

I always feel that wee bit closer to them when I get something like that.

[fmackay]

It's great when you are able to read the enlistment papers etc which gives a physical description of the person - I find myself comparing them with my immediate family to see if there is a similarity! It is especially good if you don't have a photo of them.
I have also just received my grandfather's service record from Edinburgh City Police which charts his progress through the police force and also his health records.

[Pandabean]

Yeh it is great reading about them. Found out he has a scar on his left arm, something that you wouldnt really think about.