Royal Engineers - Yachtsman?

[honeybun]

I have a census entry for a relative who was in the Royal Engineers, based in Chatham.  He is listed as what looks like "Yachtsman" on the original census form.  Is this possible?  What would a yachtsman do in the Royal Engineers or is it my misreading of some other trade entirely?

Any thoughts gratefully received.

Honeybun

[Hackstaple]

Please give the census reference so that we can look at the actual entry.

[manmack]

honeybun,i have seen some great occupations on the census,one was listed as a seamstress,no problem there,BUT his name was bert mack

[honeybun]

You got an odd one there mack!

Hackstaple,

I have looked up the details and hope this is what you need.
Registration District:  Medway
Sub registration District: Gillingham
RG12/659
Folio 49
Page 12
ED 3

W. Woolton
Ann Woolton
Ernest Woolton
Jas. Ennen

Ennen was a visitor that night, also he was in the R.E. and listed as having the same occupation as William.

William Woolton was in 1881 the master of a local barge on the River Medway and in 1901 he was still living in Gillingham and listed as a "Civilian Coxwain" and whatlooks like the initials S.M.L. or I after it.  The enumerator has written over the top "Seas".

Maybe you can make some sense out of it!

Honeybun

[Hackstaple]

Take a look here;
http://www.army.mod.uk/royalengineers/sport/reyc/about.htm

[honeybun]

This appears to solve the mystery of the description Hack, as it is definitely "yachtsman" on the Census.  I don't think he was ever in the Army but as a professional master bargeman, maybe he was employed by the REYC for his expertise especially as his home ground was the Medway.  More or less all the men in the Woolton family were employed on the river in th 1800's and early 1900's.

Anyway, thanks for the information as it does explain a mystery for me!

Honeybun

[r973g]

Hi Hunnybun,
I assume you are talking about WW1 as I too have a relative in the R.E that was in the Inland Water Transport. All I know of it is the fact that he got the DSM for whatever he did.
I don't know what they were termed but I do know that some also manned boats on coastal defence.
Ray