W. Trew, Asst. Payr., R.N., H.M.S. Active

William Trew entered the Royal Navy as an Assistant Clerk in March 1860, the commencement of a long and distinguished career that ended with his retirement as Paymaster-in-Chief in January 1902. In the interim, as per Lean’s Navy List, he had served as:

‘Assistant-Paymaster (Secretary’s Office), on the West Coast of Africa during the Old Colony and Zulu Wars 1877-79; mentioned in despatches (Zulu Medal); Secretary to Rear-Admiral Sir F. W. Sullivan in the Inconstant, Flying Squadron, 1881-82, and during the Egyptian War 1882 (Egyptian Medal, Khedive’s Bronze Star, Osmanieh 4th Class); Staff Paymaster of Garnet, employed at Zanzibar in suppression of the slave trade 1887-90; Fleet Paymaster of St. George, flagship of Rear-Admiral H. H. Rawson, C.B., 1894-97, during the various expeditions on the East and West Coasts of Africa; present on the occasion of the bombardment and capture of the Sultan of Zanzibar’s palace on 27 August 1896, by the Squadron of Rear-Admiral H. H. Rawson, C.B., and landed from the Squadron to punish the King of Benin for the massacre of the political expedition in 1897, ending in the capture of Benin City on 18 February 1897; mentioned in despatches.

William Trew

13 Aug 1844 Born in London

Educated at Epsom College

March 1860 Entered the Royal Navy as an Assistant Clerk

12 Dec 1865 Promoted to Assistant Paymaster

12 Dec 1865 Assistant Paymaster on HMS Liverpool (Frigate, Channel Squadron)

9 Jun 68 Assistant Paymaster on HMS Rattlesnake (Corvette, Cape of Good Hope and West Coast of Africa)

11 Jun 1870 Assistant Paymaster in charge on HMS Seringapatam (Receiving Ship, Cape of Good Hope) and then Assistant Paymaster in charge on HMS Flora (Guard Ship, Simon’s Bay, Cape of Good Hope)

16 Jun 1874 Assistant Paymaster on HMS Duke of Wellington (Flag Ship, Portsmouth)

1 Apr 1877 Assistant Paymaster serving as Clerk to the Secretary on HMS Active (Corvette, Flag Ship, Cape of Good Hope and West Coast of Africa; served during the Cape Colony and Zulu Wars; During the Zulu War he served at at the Commodore’s office in Simon’s Bay, and was clerk to the Senior Officer there. Recommended for promotion by Admiral Sullivan. Mentioned in Despatches, South Africa Medal, no clasp

17 Mar 1879 Assistant Paymaster serving as Clerk to Secretary on HMS Boadicea (Corvette, Flag Ship, Cape of Good Hope and West Coast of Africa) Transferred to Boadicea when Commodore Richards took command of the station. Served at Simon’s Bay

18th May 1880 Promoted to Paymaster

25 Jan 1881 Paymaster on HMS Excellent (Gunnery Ship, Portsmouth)

6 Dec 1881 Paymaster (Serving as Secretary to Rear Admiral) on HMS Agincourt (Flag Ship, Second in command of Channel Squadron) served during the Egyptian War; Egypt Medal, Khedive’s Star, Order of Osmanieh, 4th Class

15 Sep 1883 Paymaster on HMS Hector (Screw Iron Ship, Coast Guard Service, Southampton Water)

2 Oct 1884 Paymaster on HMS Tamar (Troopship)

18 May 1886 Promoted to Staff Paymaster while serving on “Tamar”

1887 Staff Paymaster on HMS Garnet (Cruiser, East Indies Station) engaged in suppression of slave trade

1891 Staff Paymaster on HMS Defiance (Torpedo School Ship, Devonport)

18 May 1892 Promoted to Fleet Paymaster

1897 Fleet Paymaster serving on HMS St. George (1st Class Cruiser, Flag Ship, Cape of Good Hope Squadron) Served ashore with Naval Brigade during the Benin Expedition; East and West Africa Medal with clasp “Benin”

15 Jan 1902 Placed on the Retired List at his own request, with permission to assume the rank of Paymaster-in-chief


Petty Officer Tom