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General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: Taylor94 on Saturday 10 February 18 02:10 GMT (UK)

Title: James Kirby Royal Navy Gunner
Post by: Taylor94 on Saturday 10 February 18 02:10 GMT (UK)
Hi
I'm looking for more info on my 3rd grt grandfather James Kirby.
He was baptised 26 Jan 1834 Belgrave, leicester. Parents Henry and Mary.
It seems at somepoint he joined the Royal Navy although I cant see a record for him on FindMyPast/Forces records etc unless I'm searching wrong.
James marries Ann Langdale 1855 Leicester.
In 1861 James is listed as a Gunner on board the Vessel Racoon (I'm not sure if there are any pics of this vessel, There seem to be some of a later vessel called Racoon but I'm not sure for this time frame) and stationed at Mount Carmel Coast of Syria.
In 1871 he is living in Portsea, Which I assume is where the barracks are?
He dies 1880 Leicester.
His children are baptised at Eastney including my grt grt grandfather William 'Willie' Kirby.
Im just wondering if any could see if there is a service record for the Navy maybe giving details of of when he signed up etc. On his childrens baptisms I think he is listed as a Private?
Title: Re: James Kirby Royal Navy Gunner
Post by: MaxD on Saturday 10 February 18 10:05 GMT (UK)
Very first quick reply - he is in the Royal Marines, hence the rank of private early on.  Note the addition of RM on the 1861.
FindMyPast has RM pension records for a James Kirby, the one I looked at has him as a Boatswain (bosun) who was a warrant officer a step above a Gunner so could be him.
MaxD
Title: Re: James Kirby Royal Navy Gunner
Post by: Taylor94 on Saturday 10 February 18 13:09 GMT (UK)
Could possibly be him, But age is abit off, James was born 26 Nov 1833 whereas this record states 29 May 1842

*Edit
This isn't my James, the record starts 1872 and stops at Devon Yard 2nd Sep 1894 and Pensioned 1898. My James died in 1880.
Title: Re: James Kirby Royal Navy Gunner
Post by: MaxD on Saturday 10 February 18 14:42 GMT (UK)
OK  - but I don't see the dates you mention.  The record is ADM29/125, the RN/RM etc Warrant Officers succession book 1872-1882.  Another of the records appears to show him being paid off 1 May 1880 - was that his death date?

In any event, you are still looking for a member of the Royal Marine Artillery (slight addition to what I said before, his 1871 census entry is clear "Gunner RMA".

MaxD
Title: Re: James Kirby Royal Navy Gunner
Post by: crimea1854 on Saturday 10 February 18 16:06 GMT (UK)
Possibly the record for your man, unfortunately you can only view it at the National Archives or ask for a quote to get a copy.

http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14676325

Martin
Title: Re: James Kirby Royal Navy Gunner
Post by: MaxD on Saturday 10 February 18 16:26 GMT (UK)
That's a good spot Martin!

MaxD
Title: Re: James Kirby Royal Navy Gunner
Post by: Taylor94 on Saturday 10 February 18 20:43 GMT (UK)
Thank you very much for that, That looks to be my James. Ill enquire about a copy :)