Report of Drifters off Cape Helles 30 January 1919

Lieut. R.H. Palmer. R.N.V.R.

D “Northesk” II No 2022

Cape Helles.

Jan 30 1919

Captain of Base.

H.M.S. “Europa”

Sir,

I have the honour to request that I may be paid command money as Lieut in Command, observing that I have been in command of Drifters since April 10^th 1918 & have not yet received command money.

Previous to April 10^th 1918 I had the honour to command H.M. Motor Launch 198 and volunteered for Drifters after being assured I would receive the same command money.

From April 10^th until July 8^th 1918 I was in command of H.M.D. “Kilmany” (in which vessel was no Skipper) and was also sub-divisional leader of three vessels.

From July 8^th 1918 I have been Divisional Leader of “W” Division of Drifters (now 9^th Division), a Division composed of 8 Drifters commanded by Skippers.

Request that I may be paid back command money since April 10^th 1918.

I have the honour to be

Sir

Your obedient servant

Reginald H. Palmer.

Lieut. R.N.V.R.

S.O. of Div.

The necessary examination was passed by me on July 8^th 1918.

War Diary of AA Laporte Payne 15 January 1919

EXTRACTED FROM.

Brigade Diary, Personal Diary, Operation Orders, Note Books, Memoranda

Correspondence

—————–

January 15, 1919

Harfleur

Everything here is in chaos. I have 1200 men in the wing which I have to look after.  The returns are enough to frighten a whole division.  My best sergeant-major has gone to England which is annoying.  The demobilisation question is a hard nut.  You can imagine the conditions in a base camp like this.  We shall be broken up soon I hope.  Then I may get up the line.

Report of Drifters off Cape Helles 14 January 1919

S.O. 9^th Div of Drifters

D “Northesk” II

Cape Helles.

Jan 14 1919

Commanding Officer.

H.M.S. “Europa”

Sir,

I have the honour to report the following mines sunk by vessels in my Division during passage from Mudros to Chanak.

H.M.D. “Northesk II” No. 2022. (local No 91).

Date: – Dec 22^nd 1918.

Position: – 39⁰ 49’ 00” N.  25⁰ 28’ 00” E.

Depth of Water: – 51 fthms.

Description: – Floating mine (French) bottoms upward, spherical with lever             running down one side.

Name of Mine: – French Mine “B” (Fig 61. Book of Mines).

How sunk Rifle Fire (Mark VII).

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H.M.D. “Ten” No 1052. (local No 94).

Date: – Dec 28^th 1918.

Position: – 39⁰ 57’ 00” N 25⁰ 31’ 00” E.

Depth of Water: – 12 fthms.

Description: – Floating mine, (British) spherical bottom upwards with bar    across.

Name of Mine: – British Elia (Fig 36 Book of Mines).

How sunk: – Rifle Fire (Mark VII).

I have the honour to be

Sir

Your obedient servant

Reginald H. Palmer

Lt. R.N.V.R.

Report of Drifters off Cape Helles 14 January 1919

S.O. 9^th Div of Drifters

D “Northesk” II

Cape Helles.

Jan 14 1919

Staff Paymr (V)

H.M.S. “Europa”

Sir,

Enclosed I send receipts for slops supplied to vessels in my Division.

* The receipt from M.L. 508 has not been returned to me but possibly the C.O. is sending it direct.*

Regarding the slops for my vessels everything was correct with the exception of 1 Razor, 1 Hat ribbon & 1 pair of braces short.

The shortage of the braces I have discovered, as on checking your “Summary” sheet I find the pair for H.M.D. “Prime” was not included, although it was on Prime’s sheet.

The other two items I cannot trace.

Your obedient servant

R.H. Palmer

Lieut R.N.V.R.

*Receipt from M.L. 508 just to hand so is enclosed.

Report of Drifters off Cape Helles 14 January 1919

S.O. 9^th Div of Drifters

D “Northesk” II No 2022

Cape Helles.

Jan 14^th 1919

Commanding Officer

H.M.S. “Caesar”

Sir,

I have the honour to report the following changes in the personnel of the crews in vessels under my command.

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H.M.D. “Hopeful” No. 2386.

Stephen Bryan, Deck Hand, Off No.21753.

James H. Mears, Trimmer, Off No. TS.6615

reported for duty A.M. Dec 29^th 1918.

——————————————————————————————————-

H.M.D. “Ebenezer” No. 2294.

William Woods, 2^nd Hand, Off No. 1679

reported for duty A.M. Dec 29^th 1918.

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H.M.D. “Northern Scot” No 2425.

1. Thomas, Trimmer,

reported for duty A.M. Dec 29^th 1918.

I have the honour to be

Sir

Your Obedient Servant

R.H. Palmer

Lieut. R.N.V.R.

George Ryan’s letter home dated 14 Jan 15

Victoria Barracks

Dinapore

Behar

India.

14 Jan 1915

Dear May,

Just a few words to let you know I received no letter this week. I suppose mother didn’t get my letter from Aden, or I should have had an answer to it this week.

However, they expect the mail boat in a bit earlier this week; it’s supposed to reach Bombay some time to-day, so we might get our letters Sat night.  It will be quite a change, as it’s been Mon or Tues the last 3 or 4 weeks, before we’ve got any letters.

I fired ball-cartridge for the first time yesterday. I got on very well; it was only on the 30 yards range though.  It was only to get us used to our rifles – those that had not fired ball before.  We shall start firing our “course”, next week I expect.  It takes two or three weeks, as we have various kinds of targets, at different ranges, both rapid & deliberate (take your time) firing.  We can earn extra pay for firing, I think.  A first-class shot gets 6^d a day extra a second class gets 3^d & a 3^rd class shot gets nothing extra.  Of course, you have to be very good at it to get anything extra.  The Army doesn’t give anything away.  These payments are what the Regulars get, but we don’t know yet whether we shall get them.  Of course, we are acting as Regulars out here, but when it comes to a matter of pay we are only Territorials.

Well the rumour that we should leave here in March has been buried. We’ve had another one since then & that was that we were here for 3 years but that’s also been buried.  The one alive at present is that the war will be over by October & that we shall spend next Christmas at home.  I hope this last one is right.  After all “there’s no place like London”.

Hoping you are all well & jogging along alright.

Love to all,

Yr loving brother

George