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General => Armed Forces => World War One => Topic started by: AnnieP on Monday 29 January 18 15:20 GMT (UK)

Title: Steward in Merchant Navy
Post by: AnnieP on Monday 29 January 18 15:20 GMT (UK)
I'm just a little bit confused. I have a steward in the Merchant Navy in 1912/13 but find him during WW1 as a steward aboard HMS Buttercup and other RN ships during his service. He is on the Royal Naval Register of Seaman's Services and also received  the RN war medals of the Star, the Victory and the British War medal. He then reverts back to the Merchant Navy after the war ends.
Would he have had to join the RN or would he have just been seconded?
Title: Re: Steward in Merchant Navy
Post by: jim1 on Tuesday 30 January 18 13:04 GMT (UK)
He was a volunteer. Conscription came about Jan. 1916 & as your man has the 14/15 Star shows he was serving in the RN prior to conscription.
HMS Buttercup was a minesweeper.
Title: Re: Steward in Merchant Navy
Post by: KGarrad on Tuesday 30 January 18 14:14 GMT (UK)
I think he may well have been a member of the Royal Naval Reserve, or the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve?
Title: Re: Steward in Merchant Navy
Post by: AnnieP on Tuesday 30 January 18 15:01 GMT (UK)
Thanks so much for making it all a bit clearer. From what you've both said he would have enlisted into the Royal Navy unless he was already in the Reserves and then it would have been a transfer over I suppose.