George Allen KNIBBS\Eva Muriel BARRETT

George Allen KNIBBS, son of George Henry L KNIBBS and Elizabeth BIRCHLEY , was born 08 June 1898 in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, England. He married Eva Muriel BARRETT bet. July and September, 1922 in Woodstock District, Oxfordshire, England. He died bet. April and June, 1971 in Oxford District, Oxfordshire, England. Eva Muriel BARRETT was born 02 July 1898. She died April 1985 in West Oxford District, Oxfordshire, England.

Notes for George Allen KNIBBS:

Birth: 08 June 1898 in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, England.
Death: bet. April and June, 1971 in Oxford District, Oxfordshire, England.
Baptism: 10 July 1898 Woodstock, Oxfordshire, England
Occupation: Plumbers Boy bef. 01 January 1915
Occupation: Mariner, Leading Seaman, Royal Navy bet. 21 January 1915 and 18 May 1928
Occupation: Mariner, Leading Seaman, Royal Australian Navy bet. 27 September 1925 and 06 February 1928

We can see from George's military record that he served in the Royal Navy from January 1915 through to what looks like March 1930. Also, from 25 September 1925 to 6 February 1928 he seems to have been seconded to serve with the Royal Australian Navy. It is simply recorded as "Lent RAN" on his military record.

He joined the Royal Navy as a Boy II Class in Jan 1915 and became Boy I Class in Feb that same year. It seems from the record that he undertook his initial training aboard the cruiser HMS Powerful. He became an Ordinary Seaman in Jun 1916 and eventually, an Able Seaman in 1917. He achieved the rating of Leading Seaman in Sep 1925 and at the same time he was loaned to the Royal Australian Navy. He then served in the RAN until Feb 1928 when his record shows he reverted back to the Royal Navy. Much of the detail on his service record is difficult to read, but I note that in Feb 1925 he was trained in Minesweeping.

At the age of 15 when he joined the Navy he measured 5'1¼" tall with a 31" chest. At 30, he was 5'5" tall and a 37" chest. He had Brown Hair, Brown Eyes and a fresh complexion.

His Character was marked as Very Good throughout his career. His Ability was marked as a combination between Satisfactory and Superior.

He was drafted to the following ships and shore establishments throughout his career:
HMS Powerful 21 Jan 1915 to 7 May 1915 (Armoured Cruiser)
HMS Pembroke 8 May 1915 to 15 May 1815 (Chatham - Shore Base)
HMS Calliope 16 May 1915 to 31 Mar 1919 (Cruiser/Training Ship)
HMS Vivid 1 Apr 1919 to 9 May 1919 (Devonport - Shore Establishment)
HMS Cambrian 10 May 1919 to ? (Devonport - Training Ship for Stokers)
HMS Sword ?? to ?? (?)
HMS Victory XI (Barcelona?) ?? to 20 Feb 1925 (?)
HMS Vivid 21 feb 1925 to 25 Sep 1925 (Devonport - Shore Establishment)
London Depot RAN 26 Sep 1925 to 8 Oct 1925 (Lent RAN)
HMAS Cerberus 9 Oct 1925 to 23 Nov 1925 (Western Point Bay, Victoria- Shore Base)
HMAS Brisbane 24 Nov 1925 to 13 Oct 1926 (Cruiser/Sydney Training Ship)
HMAS Melbourne 14 Oct 1926 to 13 Oct 1927 (Cruiser)
HMAS Penguin 14 Oct 1927 to 25 Nov 1927 (Cruiser/Accommodation Ship)
London Depot RAN 26 Nov 1927 to 5 Feb 1928 (Reverted)
HMS Vivid 6 feb 1928 to 17 May 1928 (Devonport - Shore Establishment)
HMS Osprey 18 May 1928 (Portland - Shore Base)

See George's Royal Naval Service Record