Master at Arms

[nickyhug]

My husband may have found his Great Grandfather.  On the birth certificate of my husbands Grandfather (if it is him!) his Father's occupation is Master at Arms R.N.  Am assuming that the RN stands for Royal Navy (Grandfather was born in Kingswear which is very near Dartmouth - Royal Navy College etc)  Can anyone confirm this and does anyone know what a Master of Arms did?
Ta very much

[Hackstaple]

Master-At-Arms, the chief of the ship's police. At the end of the XVII century the Master-At-Arms was the Small Arms Instructor and also responsible for the minor organisation of the ship's company; he lost this latter responsibility when Commander's Offices were introduced in about 1926. The regular practice of carrying Marines on a warship also meant that some responsibilities fell away and eventually he was a Chief Petty Officer with special responsibilty for discipline.

[nickyhug]

Thank you!   All we have to do now is find out if it is the right relative and not a complete stranger!!!!