New Medal,

Tom,just picked up this one at auction,

Stoker J.Forester, HMS Himalaya.

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Her Majesty's Troopship Himalaya
John Young Collection

So you can see what the ship looked like.

John Y.

Best detailed photo yet!

Thanks JY.
90th

Hi All,
Thought you may like to take a look at the group of medals recently acquired. The recipient, Richard Lewis began his career in the Navy at 10 years of age from 1878 as a powder monkey aboard the HMS Shar listed as "Boy". Further history on his naval career revealed that he continued his service aboard the HMS Monarch. He also made the thirty-nine mile forced march from Kassasin to Khartoum to relieve Gen. "Chinese" Gordon during the Sudan campaign where they later found Gen.Gordon to be beheaded. I was also made aware that the Khadives Star was personally pinned to him by Queen Victoria herself ! In 1888 he left Britain for Seattle in the USA and again he joined the navy where he served for 9 years as a Gunners Mate and later Quartermaster where he was finally discharged from the famous battleship "Oregon" just before the Spanish-American war. In 1917 he again re-unlisted in the Navy and served through 1918 till just before armistice when it was discovered that he was actually 61 years young instead of 43 as he had originally claimed. Richard L.Lewis has had quite a rare and exceptional Naval History having served in four wars, three for the British and one for the America. If anyone on the forum can add to the above it would be greatly appreciated.

Recipient not listed in the Roy Dutton Book - Forgotten Heroes ?

Medal is engraved as follows.....

Richard Lewis.Boy.1st Class HMS Shah

If necessary I can email a better quality picture to those interested.........

Best Regards

Paul

Sorry Typo : My error....It should have read 1878 and not 1868 as originally posted.

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Oz, nice purchase. Do you have further information on Lewis?

Paul,

Surely at the age of at least 20 years, he would not be listed as a Boy?

There are a three men by the name Lewis on the crew of the Shah: Stoker E. Lewis; Able Seaman T. Lewis & Able Seaman W. Lewis.

I can find a Bootneck on the Tamar Pte. R. Lewis, R.M.L.I.

But your one is evading me.

John Y.

We could say the same, regarding " Drummer Boy"

Royal Navy Ratings

Boy, as rated (after World War II known as a 'junior') - aged between 15½ and 18. On a boy's 18th birthday he automatically became rated as an ordinary seaman and was subject to the Naval Discipline Act as applicable to adult seamen.

Steve

Chard1879,

Chard1879 wrote:

We could say the same, regarding " Drummer Boy"

Don't confuse Drummers & Boys in the Army sense of things.

John Y.

Hi All,

Thanks for your input about these medals........Its a great forum !

You will note that I had made an type error on his enlistment year which has now been corrected on my posting. I intend to try and carry out further research on Mr. Lewis's military career which hopefully will reveal more about this man.

From the information provided to me about him there are still some discrepancies so I will ask to re-check these years of service.

Thanks Again :)

Paul

John Young wrote:

Paul,

Surely at the age of at least 20 years, he would not be listed as a Boy?

There are a three men by the name Lewis on the crew of the Shah: Stoker E. Lewis; Able Seaman T. Lewis & Able Seaman W. Lewis.

I can find a Bootneck on the Tamar Pte. R. Lewis, R.M.L.I.

But your one is evading me.

John Y.

Hi JY

For a novice like me......Whats a "Bootneck" and R.M.L.I ?

Paul,

A Bootneck - a Royal Marine.

R.M.L.I. - Royal Marine Light Infantry.

John Y.

John Young wrote:

Paul,

A Bootneck - a Royal Marine.

R.M.L.I. - Royal Marine Light Infantry.

John Y.

"What is a BOOTNECK?!?!?

Between the security of childhood and the insecurity of manhood, we find a fascinating species of humans called "BOOTNECKS."

They come in all shapes and sizes. In trucks, in boats, in women, in various barracks, in love, and always in debt.

Girls love them, towns tolerate them, and the government supports them - occasionally.

A "BOOTNECK" is sharp with a pack of cards, deadly with a set of darts and protector of the earth on half a dozen pints. He has the speed of a striking slug, the slyness of a fox, the brains of a rocking horse, and the stories of a sea captain. He has the sincerity of a born liar and the aspirations of Casanova.

Some of his interests are: girls, women, chicks, females, dames, birds, and the opposite sex.

His dislikes are: answering letters, wearing uniform, provost Sergeants, BFT, the RSM, officers (in particular) and reveille.

No-one else could cram into one pocket - a crumpled ID card, a pack of crushed cigarettes, a picture of his (or an oppo's) girlfriend(s), a comb, a bottle opener, an old leave pass and what’s left of last months pay.
He spends most of his money on beer, gambling and women. The rest he squanders.

A "BOOTNECK" is a magical creature. You can scratch him off your Christmas card list, but NEVER off your mind. He is your one and only hairy arsed, good for nothing bundle of worries. But all your shattered dreams come whole again when he comes staggering home, looks at you with those big bloodshot eyes and simply says,

"Hello love, get yer kit off!!"

CTSG. You have just had 26 guys roll-up with laughter. Bloody good answer!!! We must meet for a drink at some point in time.  

I love this website!!! sas1 make that 27 Guys. Even her in doors had a laugh   

Let's hope Tim Needham see's this.

CTSG. Good to see you posting again!!!  

Chelmsfordthescapegoat wrote:

John Young wrote:

Paul,

A Bootneck - a Royal Marine.

R.M.L.I. - Royal Marine Light Infantry.

John Y.

"What is a BOOTNECK?!?!?

Between the security of childhood and the insecurity of manhood, we find a fascinating species of humans called "BOOTNECKS."

They come in all shapes and sizes. In trucks, in boats, in women, in various barracks, in love, and always in debt.

Girls love them, towns tolerate them, and the government supports them - occasionally.

A "BOOTNECK" is sharp with a pack of cards, deadly with a set of darts and protector of the earth on half a dozen pints. He has the speed of a striking slug, the slyness of a fox, the brains of a rocking horse, and the stories of a sea captain. He has the sincerity of a born liar and the aspirations of Casanova.

Some of his interests are: girls, women, chicks, females, dames, birds, and the opposite sex.

His dislikes are: answering letters, wearing uniform, provost Sergeants, BFT, the RSM, officers (in particular) and reveille.

No-one else could cram into one pocket - a crumpled ID card, a pack of crushed cigarettes, a picture of his (or an oppo's) girlfriend(s), a comb, a bottle opener, an old leave pass and what’s left of last months pay.
He spends most of his money on beer, gambling and women. The rest he squanders.

A "BOOTNECK" is a magical creature. You can scratch him off your Christmas card list, but NEVER off your mind. He is your one and only hairy arsed, good for nothing bundle of worries. But all your shattered dreams come whole again when he comes staggering home, looks at you with those big bloodshot eyes and simply says,

"Hello love, get yer kit off!!"

  

"Bootneck"........WOW........... Its early here ........and I certainly need a coffee to digest all that !

R.M.L.I (Now educated)

Fantastic :)

Thanks
Paul

ctsg,   

Back to form mate   

I see CTSG has been searching on the military forum again to find something witty to post on this forum.   

The term 'Bootneck' comes from the leather collars (stocks), worn around the neck by the army and the marines to keep their heads up and erect, the navy did not wear these so they called the marines bootnecks because of the leather collar round their necks, the name seems to have stuck.

Thanks for setting the record straight.
At least I am now wiser as to how the Royal Marines achieved the nickname.

Cheers
Paul

That's an old wife's tale Martin.

"Royal Marine (British Special Forces). Known to each other as "Royal" but the rest of the British Forces know them as bootnecks. This nickname is derived from them cutting the top from a leather boot and wearing it like a modern neckbrace to stop sailors cutting their throat while they guarded officers on board British sailing ships in the days of old.
"Don't anoy those Bootnecks over there unless you want to wake up with a crowd round you!"