Looking for Greenwich Pensioner Record

[rosemarieanne]

I'm trying to trace down my ancestor's greenwich pension record in the National Archives to see what connected him to the Royal Navy but can't seem to find a specific record to look in.

Benjamin Pile was born abt 1793 or 1795 in Wiltshire, England according to 1841 Census, however his children were born in Portsmouth between 1818 and 1826 according to 1841 Census. I can't find birth certs for Benjamin or his children. It looks like he must have joined the Navy or was a Seaman between 1800 and 1841 to qualify but it is only on his death cert that shows he was a Greenwich Pensioner. I believe records for seamen before 1850ish could be difficult to obtain. Any help or ideas would be very welcome.

[snowyw]

Uuuumm!  I will be interested if you manage to track it down, as  my 2x gt grandfather was also a greenwich pensioner.  I had never really given records a thought.

sue

[jds1949]

The National Archives has a page on its website which should enable you to find what you seek - unfortunately it seems that only records for men whose surnames start with the letters A - M are available. I have no idea whether or not this means that the other records have been lost or simply not indexed:

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/looking-for-person/ratingroyalnavybefore1853.htm?WT.lp=rg-3168

It might be worth contacting them - citing the ADM 171 reference and asking them the question.

jds1949

[neil1821]

Some of the Greenwich Hospital entry books have been transcribed on Kevin Asplin's site as well (I transcribed the years 1839-46)
http://www.britishmedals.us/kevin/greenwich.html
However, I don't see Benjamin Pile in the books.

One thing to bear in mind is that both Royal Navy AND Royal Marines personnel could become Greenwich pensioners.
In the NGS medal rolls there's a Pte Benjamin Pile, Royal Marines on board HMS Queen Charlotte at the bombardment of Algiers in 1816. Sounds like your man! 

[rosemarieanne]

thank you for all your suggestions, extremely helpful. Its good to know there are others who can assist. I'm going to have a look at the website now.

[neil1821]

I missed one entry on the NGS roll.
Same chap was also serving on HMS Northumberland on 22 May 1812, when the ship destroyed the French frigates Ariane, Andromaque and the brig Mameluk off the Isle de Groix, Lorient.

Listed as a Pte, Royal Marines once again.

[rosemarieanne]

Thanks for that extra bit of info. I contacted National Archives and they couldn't find the record, but advised i need to go in person to look at the files. I'll take this info with me to see what i can find.
Is the NGS medal roll list available on the britishmedals.us website?
Thanks again for your help. Rose

[neil1821]

Is the NGS medal roll list available on the britishmedals.us website?

Not that I'm aware of, but it is here:
http://www.dnw.co.uk/medals/resources/medalrolls/

[rosemarieanne]

Thank you