Lives of the First World War

Those sailors who fondly imagined that they would storm ashore in dark blue, wearing Naval Landing Rig, were sadly disillusioned. Towards the end of their training, they spent a day at the Royal Marine Barracks at Chatham. 'We next were fitted out with khaki,' Leading Seaman William Childs remembered. 'This was very amusing for the sailors ... invariably had yards of puttee trailing behind them.' there was frantic sewing over the next evenings. The khaki uniform had no badges of rank. No self-respecting rating would walk around without his proper grade being visible. It was not until the end of March, when the sailors had technically finished their training that they learned their objective. Source: Zeebrugge and Ostend Raids Author Stephen McGreal Publisher Pen and Sword, 2008

'Particulars: I saw Thomas George Stone carried on the Quarter Deck of "Iris" after being killed. He was struck in the stomach by a piece of shell which certainly killed him. I am quite sure it was Stone as we have been together for the last three years. Signature: John Thomas Bassnett Date: 30th May 1918'