John Stuart Munro (b)
Able Seaman John Stuart Munro, R.N., (21 December, 1880 – 16 March, 1948) was a sailor in the Royal Navy. He should not be confused with another man, a shipwright, of the same name, born in London on 8 February, 1870.
Life & Career
Born in Aberlour, Banffshire, on 21 December, 1880, Munro joined the Royal Navy as a Boy, Second Class, aboard the training ship Caledonia in the Firth of Forth on 23 July, 1897. He had previously been a gardener. He became a Boy, First Class, on 10 March, 1898. From 7 May to 17 June he was appointed to Minotaur, then back to Caledonia, and to Agincourt on 28 September. Upon reaching the age of 18 on 21 December he signed on for a 12 year period of Continuous Service and was rated Ordinary Seaman the same day. His service record notes that he had dark brown hair, light blue eyes, a dark complexion and a slight scar over his left eye.[1]
We document him here, primarily, as we have been entrusted with a personal logbook he maintained while aboard the sloop Odin on her first commission on the Cape of Good Hope and West Africa Station, 1903-1904. He was appointed to the ship on 16 January, 1903 until 9 November 1904.
A Chatham rating, on 3 January, 1899, Munro was appointed to Pembroke I at Chatham. On 17 January he joined the new cruiser Pactolus. On 1 September, 1900, he was rated Able Seaman and a Trained Man in gunnery. On 4 July, 1901, he began a long stint at Chatham Barracks, being appointed to Pembroke, then to Pembroke III on 30 August, Pembroke I on 10 January, 1902, and Wildfire, the establishment at nearby Sheerness, on 12 February. He became a Qualified Gunner on 7 May, and a Seaman Gunner on 31 July, then back on the books of Pembroke I on 7 August. He was appointed to the old battleship Anson on 1 September.[1]
From 13-15 January, 1903, he was again appointed to Pembroke I before joining the new sloop Odin on 16 January. The following day the ship left Sheerness under the command of Commander Henry L. D. Pearce for the Cape of Good Hope and West Africa Station.[2] From 25 September, 1904, to 9 October he held the rate of Acting Second Captain of Gun before reverting to Seaman Gunner on 10 October. On 10 November, 1904, he was borne on the books of the Simoom, late depôt ship at Simon's Town, which was homeward bound.[3] Borne on the books of Pembroke from 15 February to 14 March, 1905, presumably on leave, and then Wildfire from 15 March, on 24 August he was appointed to the armoured cruiser Kent, which completed at Chatham on 2 January, 1906, for service on the China Station.[4]
On 8 April, 1908, Munro was appointed to the armoured cruiser Natal in the Fifth Cruiser Squadron of the Home Fleet. He was "Not recommended for re-engt" (re-engagement) when his 12 years Continuous Service expired, despite ultimately being given two "V.G." entries for character. Accordingly he was discharged to shore on his 30th birthday and his time in the Navy was over.[1] He does not appear to have been enrolled in the Royal Fleet Reserve.
Munro died aged 67 on 16 March, 1948.[5]
Service Record
- The National Archives. ADM 188/334/194310.
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Munro Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 188/334/194310.
- ↑ "Naval & Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Monday, 19 January, 1903. Issue 36981, col D, p. 11.
- ↑ "Naval & Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Wednesday, 7 December, 1904. Issue 37571, col C, p. 7.
- ↑ The Navy List, for January, 1907, Corrected to the 18th December, 1906. p. 336.
- ↑ Personal communication from grandchild of Munro.
Bibliography
- The Navy List, for January, 1907, Corrected to the 18th December, 1906. London: Printed for His Majesty's Stationary Office.
