Where is the trade/speciality recorded on a seaman's record? His number was J 36902 1915 to 1938 becoming JX 160148 when he rejoined after a short break in 1938, serving till 1945. I know the number indicates seaman or communicator but I can't identify anything else that gives a clue as what he actually did. Happy to post bits of the record. MaxD
Hello Max, On the service record there should be a column marked 'Rating'. This man joined as a Boy Signalman and was a Yeoman of Signals by 1924. Regards Hugh
Hugh Thank you for taking the time to reply. Would it be too much to ask if I post the 1915-1928 record and ask you to point out which hieroglyphics specifically record the signals trade (rather than seaman). I can't, for the life of me, see anything that say or even represent, signalman or Yeoman later on but that may well be that my eyes are much more attuned to soldier's records! This in no way doubts your expertise, simply me exposing my ignorance! Best wishes Max
Ahh Max we are both wrong unfortunately. I was basing my answer on the service number you quoted which was "J36902" which is a different seaman to the one on the record you posted which has service number "J35902". Anyway, now I can see the record, in the Rating column he is recorded as a boy seaman, ordinary seaman, AB, leading seaman and PO. Over to the right on the record is shown his Sub-ratings and here his trade is shown as acting SG [seaman gunner], SG, and GLII [gun layer 2nd Class]. So to answer your question he was a seaman specialising in gunnery. Hope that helps. Regards Hugh
Hugh How stupid of me, I'm sorry I misled you with the number. Your reply helps in two ways: one, I know now where to look for trades and two I know what they are with relation to this chap. Thank you indeed again. Best wishes Max
Name: Douglas Stableford Stevenson Gender: Male Birth Date: 14 May 1898 Birth Place: Alfreton, Derbyshire Service Number: J. 35902 Name: Douglas Stableford Stevenson Gender: Male Birth Date: 14 May 1898 Birth Place: Alfreton.-Derby First Service Date: 18 Mar 1915 First Ship Served On: Impregnable Last Service Date: 17 Aug 1928 Last Ship Served On: Vivid I Service Number: J35902 The document attached to this you already have above in post 3 TD
Yes, thanks TD, I got that but didn't attach it. I am treating it as going with his WW2 record which we have and which dovetails with this 1915-1928 document. He served again from 1929 to May 1938 and then rejoined (the sheet you posted refers) in Sep 1938, serving then until 1945. Now I know what the hieroglphics SG and GL2 mean, I see them on his later records, dates and all, and all things being equal, can now interpret his long career. That said, on his later record, the initials S.E.B (they are quite clear), appear beneath his SG rating with the same date in 1939 as he is at Drake 1 with the RNSP -which I take it is the Shore Patrol (he is now a CPO). Could you help with these initials please? Max
CPO - I would guess is Chief Petty Officer, I hope Hugh can tick or cross that as I am not a naval person TD
Hugh Thank you for coming back. I'd like to take a little time out and contact you direct if I may. Be in touch. Max
