Can anyone tell me anything about the arm badge worn by this sailor please? Just in case I haven't posted it with high enough resolution, it looks as if it may read: "RNI T".

I came across this photo when I was going through my late gramdfather's belongings. From a quick look at the internet I've seen that HMS Queen was on Channel patrols in WW1, went to the Dardanelles in 1915, supported the Anzac landings, then moved to the Adriatic and became a base ship until 1918.

Thanks

Dave,
Amongst your grandfather's possessions did you come across his Certificate of Service? That for my grandfather gives all of his grades as an ERA, with dates and ships.

One might guess RNI T as Royal Naval Instructor Torpedo - but that is only a guess.
With best wishes,
David

Is it RNR T - for Royal Naval Reserve, Trawlers?

Dave,
Any idea when the photo was taken? Could it be pre-war? HMS Queen was completed in 1904.
David

Thanks everyone - all helpful thoughts. Don't know where the photo was taken but my grandfather's family were dock workers in Ipswich for at least two generations. This certainly isn't him, but might be his father, who died when my grandfather was young. Thought the badge might give a clue.

As Siege Gunner says, it is R.N.R. over T. for Royal Naval Reserve Trawler Section. The second R. looks to be partially hidden. After the Dardanelles campaign, the battleship H.M.S. Queen became a base ship at Taranto for Yachts & motor launches from May 1915, and also for trawlers & drifters from October 1916. This might explain it.
Regards,
ARABIS.

That's great Arabis - thanks very much indeed

Hello Dave
This may be your ship:-
"Queen" Steam trawler built 1900 in Hull O.N. 113203 Grt161 Owned by Queen Steam Fishing Co. of Grimsby
Port no. GY 1197 renamed Queen II in 1915 (This rename would indicate service within the Royal Navy and as Siege Gunner says that would be the Trawler section.)
1917 renamed again as Quest probably after release from the R.N. and finally broken up in 1951.
Best Regards
David S Todd

Hello David,
The trawler Queen is indeed a good candidate, but the gentleman in the photo is wearing a HMS QUEEN cap ribbon. If it were the trawler would it not read HMT QUEEN, as the HMS QUEEN ribbon was already in use by ratings of or attached to the battleship?
Regards,
ARABIS,

Do you know his name? If so you can search the online seamen's registers of service for likely matches. See link below:

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documen...amp;queryType=1

Hello ARABIS
To some extent I will agree regarding the cap band, but, I have photo's of my wife's uncle who was a young fisherman in the RNR wearing the uniform with a cap band showing HMS Pembroke.
Certainly a training establishment during both World Wars.
Further my own Grandfather was in the RNR in 1914 and went into service immediately war was declared.
He never had a uniform as far as I know until the outbreak of WW2. as a Petty Officer with 1 chevron.
Of course, no cap band is present in this one.
Clearly care is needed when arriving at conclusions from what appears to be a bona fide photograph as well as carefully studying any service records.
Best Regards
David S Todd

HMS Pembroke was Chatham naval base and the administrative areas involved with it not just a training establishment and it was possible for a member of the RNR to have that as their administrative centre, even if he was operating on trawlers. There are several threads on the forum relating to RN depot ships, shore establishments and admin centres. It was possible for a man to have his pay, mail and other admin sorted by Pembroke, but to be serving on a smaller craft that did not rate such admin staff.

This cap tally clearly say His Majesty's Ship Queen so in some way this man's service was connected to her. There were about 15,000 tons difference between her and HMT Queen. This man is in uniform and would be inproperly dressed if he is wearing a tally to which he has no connection.

If he was in the Royal Naval Reserve not the Royal Navy there is an alphabetical index at Kew or at the Fleet Air Arm Museum to find out his number and thereby get his service cards.

David,
Did your grandfather receive the Long Service & Good Conduct Medal with extra service clasp?

Dave, re HMS QUEEN / Trawler Base and FINAL ? answer to `mystery' RNR (T) given ;


GREEN George J N/E Chief MAA RN 88X564 Queen
Vice Admiral Calthorpe C-in-C Mediterranean
31.07.19 N/E Post War MBE(M)
This officer was specially promoted to acting Chief M.A.A. for duty in Taranto Trawler and Drifter Base. In this capacity he has been of the utmost assistance to me in his tact in handling both officers and men of the R.N.R(T)., has been extraordinary, and it is entirely due to his marked capabilities, resourcefulness and untiring energy in an exceptionally arduous and responsible position that the discipline of the Base has been maintained at such a high standard.

All best & KOKO Sadsac

Thanks to all for the replies. If I find out more I'll post the info.