Memories of Devonport

BENJAMIN SIDDLE RM

My great-grandfather served on this ship between 1875/1876 as a Royal Marine marksman, having joined the RM's at 13 years old in 1870. He also served on HMS's 'Agincourt', 'London', 'Simoom', 'Thetis', 'Lion' and finally 'Mercury'. I have a very fine etching of HMS 'Agincourt', aground on the Pearl Rock, Gibralta and am hoping to locate prints/photos of his other ships noted above. I served with the RN, from 1952, to 1961, with immense pride and pleasure as an L/SA (v).

HMS Impregnable 1879

My grandfather started training on this ship. He was in the RN for 19 years. I wish I could find out more about him. All I have is his service record, but no pictures.

St Mary Church, Devonport

This picture shows St Mary Church which extended from west to east between Edinburgh Road (previously named Dock Wall Street), and James Street. It might have been taken from the top of The Column in Ker Street. The long building extending from north to south was the ropery where my Aunt Blanch worked at the turn of the twentieth century. The Dock Yard wall, which remains to this day, can be seen as if extending from the northwest and southwest gables of the church. This is deceptive as the width of the old cobbled street was between the two. I, as well as my five siblings, was borne in 28 Edinburgh Road, this was approximately at the point where the wall was breached for the Yard extension after the war. I believe the breach was roughly in line with Duncan Street and Northbrook Street, both of which ran at right angles to Edinburgh Road. There was a high level board on the wall, signed by Colin Campbell, the then Town Clerk, warning of the penalties for throwing missiles over the wall. As a child of about six, I was caught breaking this rule, and was taken to my front door by a Royal Marine Policeman, patrolling the wall at the time, who told my father. My Dad gave assurance that he would deal with the matter, following which I received a caning. That was the way things were in those days; discipline was immediately dispatched. This did me no harm and the incident is held with nostalgia among my many memories. The Rev Bennett was the local vicar in the 1930s and 40s. He ran both a Scout Troop and Cubs Pack which met in the large cript below the church. Posted 1615 hrs. 24th December 2008 Terry Hawton

HMS Impregnable 1891

My great grandfather, George Jarvis, served on HMS Impregnable in Devonport according to the 1891 census at the age of 16. He went on to become a petty officer in the Navy.

George Henry Finch

My Great, Great Grandfather served on this ship several times as a signalman ending in 1889 as 2nd Yeoman.

Ian Finch, Truro, Cornwall
ifinch@brannel.cornwall.sch.uk

HMS Imgregnable

My Great Great Grandfather Frederick George Rivers served and trained on this ship from 1886 to 1887, and trained on another 5 ships in Devonport between 1881 and 1891. Including HMS Duke of Wellington, HMS Rupert and HMS Northampton. He served on his first ship at the age of 16.

Great Great Grandad was on HMS Royal Adelaide

Amazed I've found this. My great great grandad Samuel Jeffery served on this ship as a Ward R steward (1871 Census). Seeing this ship really helps to bring history to life.

Grandfathers Ship

My Grandfather John Collier served onboard, 6 different occasions between 1874 and 1886.