Lives of the First World War

Source information

ID: 6237597

Reference: ADM339

Title: Royal Naval Division Service Records 1914-1920

Description: The British Royal Naval Division was made up of men from the Royal Navy and its reserve forces. These men, who were not needed at sea, fought on land alongside the Army during World War One. The records cover more than 50,000 officers and ratings who joined the Royal Naval Division or who passed through Crystal Palace, London when it was used as an initial training centre during the First World War.

UPP: GBM/ADM339/42387

Credit: © The National Archives

Source information

ID: 8629813

Title: Anson Battalion RND

Description: Born on 12th March 1889 in Bolton, John Smedley was residing in South Shields and employed as a Labourer at Rennoldson's shipyard when he enrolled in the RNVR on 21st August 1913 and given the service number 2/117. On 22nd August '14 John entered the Anson Battalion as an Ordinary Seaman. Promoted to Able Seaman three weeks later he was ordered with the Division to the defence of Antwerp. Early in '15 John was issued with the new service number 2/2691. He was due to embark with the Division for the Gallipoli Campaign but missed his ship and had to subsequently join the Anson Battalion from HMT Somali. He was wounded by a bullet that he received to his left arm during the Third Battle of Krithia. In July '15 John was awarded 28 days deferred imprisonment by Commodore Backhouse but this was remitted by a GOC order the following March when he was discharged to England for sea service. On 3rd May '16 John was transferred to the Chatham base and discharged from the RND.

Connected by: Jack4956