Hi,
What type of ships are talking about here? I'm trying to find details
of my GFather who was in the British Royal Marines, serving aboard HMS
Boadicea. I know he spent a great deal of time in Tropical East Africa
however he originated from Pwllheli. I don't know if he joined the
Navy from there. He did mention he had served in the Royal Marines as
a boy then a man and I would expect he had begun his military career
circa late 1880's. He was present as a Royal Marine Private in the
battle of Witu in Zanzibar 1890.
My Grand Father was Thomas Arnold Francis Williams
DOB. 10.6 circa 1873 in Monmouth, Wales
Mother; Mary Williams nee Woolley
Father; Francis Williams last known Pwllheli; profession mentioned as
" clergyman"
Thomas A F Williams has been mentioned in the book " About the Torres
Strait " by Gilbert White, Bishop of Carpentaria, Queensland,
Australia. The mention was regarding the " sailor in the party who
couldn't steer a horse" relating to a passage describing a overland
journey on Cape York Queensland Australia to set up an Aboriginal
mission later to become known as the Mitchell River Mission.
The information I currently hold and believe to be accurate is
Thomas DOB 10/6/circa 1873, Monmouth, Wales
Present; Battle Witu 1890 Africa as a private in British Royal Marine
attached to HMS Boadicea
Missionary; South Pacific ( Melanesian Mission under Bishop Cecil
Wilson )1898- September 1903
Student; Bishops college Thursday Island, Torres Strait Australia.
Missionary work; Mitchell River Mission.
He went on to become a government teacher, married and continued as a
store keeper.
Should any one be able to assist with locating his actual birth place &
date, Mother, military career and discharge date and place I would be
eternally grateful.
I've been trolling web sites and Census to no avail. I usually find
hundreds of Thomas Williams and Francis Williams but have been unable
to match anything to date.
Also with Mary Williams, I've had no luck finding a marriage data for
them.
The Military records I am told are in Kew and I did receive an
invitation to visit, I don't think the writer noticed my address was in
Australia
A big thank you for any assistance
Ion Williams