Description
Object description
British boy seaman trained aboard HMS Impregnable at Devonport, GB, 11/1915-3/1916; trained as boy signaller at HMS Ganges, Shotley, GB, 3/1916-7/1916; served as boy signaller aboard HMS Erin, 2nd Battle Sqdn, Grand Fleet at Scapa Flow, GB, 1916-1919
Content description
REEL 1 Background in Woking, GB, 1900-1915: question of family seafaring tradition; employment with printing works, 1914-1915; outbreak of First World War, 4/8/1914. Aspects of enlistment as boy seaman in Royal Navy in GB, 1915: failure of initial attempt to join Royal Navy; procedure on enlistment at Royal Navy Recruiting Office, Haslemere, 1915.
REEL 2 Continues: question of securing references on enlistment; naval medical and educational examinations at Portsmouth. Recollections of training as boy seaman aboard HMS Impregnable at Devonport, GB, 11/1915-3/1916: initial impressions; origins of recruits; reception on arrival; morning routine; issue of uniforms; washing.
REEL 3 Continues: boots; seamanship training; question of bullying; climbing rigging over masthead including question of fear and role acting as 'button boy'; story of subsequent problem climbing rotted Jacob's ladder to retrieve captain's pennant; relevance of training; food and cooking arrangements; relations with petty officers; captain's Sunday inspection.
REEL 4 Continues: Sunday routine including church service and afternoon leave; pay; Saturday routine including sporting activities and cleaning ship; discipline and punishments; question of smoking; swimming instruction and tests; seamanship training.
REEL 5 Continues: examinations and effect on classification. Aspects of training as boy signaller at HMS Ganges, Shotley, GB, 3/1916-7/1916: success in learning Morse Code and semaphore; story illustrating importance of speed in reading signals. Recollections of period as boy signaller aboard HMS Erin, 2nd Battle Sqdn, Grand Fleet at Scapa Flow, GB, 1916-1919: nature of accommodation arrangements designed for Turkish service; reception.
REEL 6 Continues: relations with civilians and status as senior service; signal watch arrangements and duties; signal training and exercises; status as boy signaller.
REEL 7 Continues: relations with signalmen and seamen; coaling ship and accidents; examination to qualify early as ordinary signalman and consequent advantages; question of qualification and promotion to leading signalman; role as signalmen.
REEL 8 Continues: story illustrating key role of yeoman of signals and his relationship with captain; question of confidentiality of signals; relations with officers; opinion of 'ranker' officers; story of warning crew of approach of officers aboard HMS Sable; status as signallers.
REEL 9 Continues: description of uniform including adjustments, inspections, paying for replacement items, care, ironing and 'dhobying' washing firms; 'Mickey Mouse' painted insignia on minesweeper; organisation of messdecks.
REEL 10 Continues: description of messdecks including furniture, utensils, crowded conditions, bulkhead doors and ventilation; case of insane seaman; washing, shaving and baths; latrines.