Royal Marine service Chatham 1898-1919

[Lyn L]

Thank you Archi93.
Lovely history you have posted.
 I'm very proud to say my eldest brother was in the RM band. He started as a boy bandsman at Deal in 1949. One of his first big engagements was playing at the Queens Coronation. He married his  late first wife, a Marine wren later at Deal. The band also accompanied the Queen and Prince Phillip on board the Royal Yacht Britannia when they toured with Prince Charles and Princess Anne.

[Dave Smith]

Archi93. What an interesting bit of Kentish history, thank you. Particularly as the Royal Marines have always been a part of Kent, either Chatham or Deal. Nothing quite like the RM band with their white pith helmets. Interesting that his height was 5ft 5 & 9/10 inches, not 5.9. Although in my day it would have been to the nearest 1/4 inch.

[Archi93]

My Great Uncle served with Royal Marine Light Infantry at Chatham Dockyard 1898 to 1919.Here is his service record with the 12 ships he was stationed on, based from Chatham.A. Ed. M. Royal Marine Service Chatham  Born 1879, Marylebone, London, Trade Painter’s labourer Religion Church of England, When enlisted 29 June 1898
 Where enlisted London, Age on enlistment 18 years 7 months 20 days
 Register No. 11172 (changed from 9757), Division Portsmouth, Next of kin Ed A.
 Stature 5 feet 5 & 9/10 inches, Complexion Fresh, Hair Brown, Eyes Hazel
 Marks Tattooed Anchor & Shield left forearm

Rank Private, Royal Marine Light Infantry: Chatham Division

G Company, Received depot Walmer 29 Jun 1898 to 8 Mar 1899
 E Company, Portsmouth Division 9 Mar 1899 to 27 Oct 1899
 Embarked Duke of Wellington 28 Oct 1899 to 1 Aug 1900
 Top of sheet is written War Chevrons 1 Blue 1917
 When re-engaged 2 June 1910, Able to swim Yes, Where tested Deal
 Embarked Duke of Wellington 28 Oct 1899 to 1 Aug 1900
 B Company, Chatham division
 Duke of Wellington 2 Aug 1900 to 12 Nov 1900
 Chatham Division (at Gosport) 13 Nov 1900 to 7 Dec 1900
 Embarked Blake 8 Dec 1900 to 24 Dec 1900
 Embarked Empress of India 25 Dec 1900 to 13 Sep 1901
 Embarked Caesar 14 Sep 1901 to 6 Oct 1903
 Chatham Division at Depot 7 Oct 1903 to 3 Apr 1905
Promoted Corporal, Chatham Division (at Depot) 4 Apr 1905 to 7 Apr 1908
 Embarked Pembroke 8 Apr 1908 to 8 May 1908
 Chatham Division 9 May 1908 to 12 Feb 1909
 Embarked Dido 13 Feb 1909 to 9 Dec 1910
 Chatham Division 10 Dec 1910 to 8 Aug 1911
 Promoted Sergeant, Chatham Division 9 Aug 1911 to 9 Jan 1912
 Embarked Formidable 10 Jan 1912 to 2 Dec 1912
 Chatham Division 3 Dec 1912 to 15 June 1913
 Embarked St George 16 June 1913 to 31 Jan 1914
 Chatham Division 1 Feb 1914 to 7 Oct 1917
 Embarked Newcastle 8 Oct 1917 to 6 Jan 1918
 Promoted Company Sergeant, Embarked Morea 7 Jan 1918 to 22 Jan 1918
 Chatham Division 23 Jan 1918 to 6 Aug 1918
 Embarked Ambitious 7 Aug 1918 to 3 Mar 1919
 Chatham Division 4 Mar 1919 to 20 June 1919
 Embarked Columbine 21 June 1919 to 29 June 1919
 Completed course for Plymouth, Columbine, Discharge 8 Nov 1919, Demobilised
 Character Consistently Very Good, Ability Started at Very Good, ending at Superlative
 Medals 9.9.1913    L.S.&G.Co. Medal (Army Long Service & Good Conduct Medal)
       13.10.1910 L.S.&G.Co. gratuity paid
 9 Aug 1919 Paid £34 War Gratuity
 War Chevrons 1 Blue 1917
 Nature of employment: 10.9.1904 Company Orderly E Coy Deal
 1.6.1906 & various dates to 19.10.1916 Temporary gunnery instructor
 Passed for: Corporal 1^st Class     10.9.1904, Sergeant  1^st Class        1.6.1906
 Gun-layer II 3.3.1908, Gunnery Instructor    19.12.1911, Anti Gas      12.10.1916
Depots Portsmouth, Chatham, Walmer, Deal
 Ships Duke of Wellington, Blake, Empress of India, Caesar, Pembroke
 Dido, Formidable, St George, Newcastle, Morea, Ambitious, Columbine