HAMSON-LANE Family History

Military Service Record (1884-1907)

Albert William Eastland.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Left click images for an expanded view.

 

Overview:

 

Working as a millwright and whitesmith for his father would've given Albert an uncertain future. On the other hand, a career in the Royal Navy offered a structured, respectable career for working class men.

 

Force served: British Royal Navy.

 

Service number: 168566.

 

Rank achieved: Armourer Petty Officer 2nd Class.

 

Previous occupation: Millwright (maintenance of a corn mill) and whitesmith (maker of metal goods).

 

Date/place of birth: 30 June 1872, Reigate, Surrey.

 

Enlistment date/place: 27 June 1892, Portsmouth for 12 years.

27 June 1904, Portsmouth for 10 years.

27 June 1914, Portsmouth for duration of war.

 

Height: 5 ft 5 ins.

 

Hair colour: Brown.

 

Colour of eyes: Blue.

 

Complexion: Fair.

 

Distinguishing marks: None.

 

Conduct: Generally rated as 'Very Good'.

 

Discharge date: 7 October 1919.

 

Reason for discharge: Shore pensioned.

 

WW1/WW2 service: World War I.

 

Postings:

 

H.M.S. Excellent: 27 Jun 1892 to 7 Mar 1893, Armourer crew.

 

H.M.S. Hibernia: 8 Mar 1893 to 21 Apr 1893, Armourer crew.

 

H.M.S. Dreadnaught: 22 Apr 1893 to 15 Jun1894, Armourer crew.

 

H.M.S. Amphion: 16 Jun 1894 to 28 Feb 1895, Armourer crew.

 

H.M.S. Excellent: 1 Mar 1895 to 30 Jun 1895, Armourer crew.

 

H.M.S. Victory II: 1 Jul 1895 to 5 Oct 1896, Armourer crew.

 

H.M.S. Excellent: 6 Oct 1896 to 13 Mar 1897, Armourer crew.

 

H.M.S. Victory: 14 Mar 1897 to 10 May 1897, Armourer crew.

 

H.M.S. Vernon: 11 May 1897 to 14 Jun 1897, Armourer crew.

 

H.M.S. Victory I: 15 Jun 1897 to 2 Aug 1898, Armourer crew.

 

H.M.S. Nymphe: 3 Aug 1898 to 31 Dec 1899, Armourer crew.

 

H.M.S. Renown: 1 Jan 1900 to 18 Nov 1900, Armourer crew.

 

H.M.S. Excellent: 19 Nov 1900 to 23 Nov 1901, Armourer crew.

 

H.M.S. Vernon: 24 Nov 1901 to 21 Dec 1901, Armourer crew.

 

H.M.S. Excellent: 22 Dec 1901 to 26 Feb 1902, Armourer crew.

 

H.M.S. Duke of Wellington II: 27 Feb 1902 to 11 Jun 1902, Armourer crew.

 

H..M.S. Prince George: 12 Jun 1902 to 14 Jul 1904, Armourer's mate.

 

H.M.S. Excellent: 15 Jul 1904 to 30 Sep 1906, Armourer's mate.

 

H.M.S Formidable: 1 Oct 1906 to 10 Oct 1906, Armourer's mate.

 

H.M.S. Excellent: 11 Oct 1906 to 23 Mar 1907, Armourer's mate.

 

H.M.S. Vernon: 24 Mar 1907 to 13 Apr 1907, Armourer's mate.

 

H.M.S. Excellent: 14 Apr 1907 to 2 Oct 1907, Armourer's mate.

 

H.M.S. Renown: 3 Oct 1907 to 16 Dec 1907, Armourer's mate.

 

H.M.S. Excellent: 17 Dec 1907 to 1 Aug 1908, Armourer's mate.

 

H.M.S. Seahorse: 2 Aug 1908 to 11 Sep 1909, Armourer's mate.

 

H.M.S. Victory II: 12 Sep 1909 to 16 Sep 1909, Armourer's mate.

 

H.M.S. Belferophon: 17 Sep 1909 to 31 Jan 1911, Armourer's mate.

 

H.M.S. Excellent: 1 Feb 1911 to 29 May 1911, Armourer's mate.

 

H.M.S. Hecla: 30 May 1911 to 30 Apr 1912, Armourer's mate.

 

H.M.S. Excellent: 1 May 1912 to 28 May 1912, Armourer's mate.

 

H.M.S. Revenge: 29 May 1912 to 31 Jul 1912, Armourer's mate.

 

H.M.S. Venus: 1 Aug 1912 to 24 Sep 1913, Armourer's mate.

 

H.M.S. Excellent: 25 Sep 1913 to 1 Aug 1914, Armourer's mate.

 

H.M.S. Victory II: 2 Aug 1914 to 13 Aug 1914, Armourer's mate.

 

H.M.S. Excellent: 14 Aug 1914 to 6 Oct 1914, Armourer's mate.

 

H.M.S. Benbow: 7 Oct 1914 to 22 Feb 1917, Armourer's mate.

This ship was involved in the Battle of Jutland on 31 May to 1 Jun 1916.

 

H.M.S. Victory II: 23 Feb 1917 to 9 Nov 1917, Armourer's mate.

 

H.M.S. Excellent: 10 Nov 1917 to 1 Jul 1918, Armourer's mate.

 

H.M.S. Eaglet: 2 Jul 1918 to 7 Oct 1919, Armourer's mate.

 

Aftermath:

 

After retiring from the navy with a 27 year pension, Albert worked as a gunsmith, a person who repairs, modifies, designs and builds guns. The skills he had acquired as an armourer in the Royal Navy made this an ideal civilian occupation for him.

 

Note: If you'd like to know more than has been summarised on this website or have information that improves this history, we'd love to hear from you.