RNR - WW1 records - James William Francis

[liver007]

Hello I am after some more information for a friend. I know James William Francis served in the RNR during tge Great War he was based in Grimsby. I have a copy of his discharge records from HMS Pekin it seems to have been a depot and not an actual ship.  His RNR number was SA 576. I am struggling to find the actual ship he served on & his WW1 medal card or a document with his medal issued to him.  I have limited information: DOB 30 Sep 1885 born Grimsby.  I await with bated breath ...regards Keith

[MaxD]

He is on the RN WW1 medal records on Ancestry as Jas W Francis - 576/SA British War medal.  His record is at the National Archives here:
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D8547381 very sparse record that you can read quite well on the preview image.  Apparently as well as being the Grimsby base for mine clearing vessels there was also one trawler with that name.  Others (Seaweed, HMac???) may have mopre on that.

MaxD

[seaweed]

 As far as I know, SA means he was rated a second hand, RNR Trawler Section.
The Trawler HMS PEKIN. This Trawler was actually named PEKEN, with an E but most WW1 sources give PEKIN.
She was an ex Grimsby trawler GY354, requisitioned in August 1914 and converted for mine sweeping.
returned to GY owners in 1919. 228 grt 119nrt. Admiralty number 24. Armament one 6 pounder gun.
She was also requisitioned in WW2.
Cannot say for certain if your man served on board rather than the Shore Establishment but his SA ranking suggests he did have sea time. Hugh can probably tell you more.
It may be of interest to look at her last civilian crew agreement before she was requisitioned in 1914. If your man is included, then its odds on he did serve in her when the vessel was RNR.
The C/A is available from here. Official number 127823.
https://www.mun.ca/mha/holdings/viewcombinedcrews.php?Official_No=127823

[MaxD]

As far as I know, SA means he was rated a second hand, RNR Trawler Section.

Medal record has his rate as 2nd Hd so second hand which presumably doesn't mean pre-owned 

Thanks for coming along Seaweed!

MaxD

[HMac]

Just to confirm that SA in the RNR service numbering for the Trawler Section means Second Hand.
HMS PEKIN in this instance is the shore establishment.
I think I can see the Grimsby trawler MARLBOROUGH in his service record but the print is poor.
Regards
Hugh

[liver007]

Just to confirm that SA in the RNR service numbering for the Trawler Section means Second Hand.
HMS PEKIN in this instance is the shore establishment.
I think I can see the Grimsby trawler MARLBOROUGH in his service record but the print is poor.
Regards
Hugh

Hugh

Thanks sorry for the delay in getting back to you

Keith