DAVIES, Roy Edward Charles. RM HMS Warspite (& postwar RAF) (01 May 1920 - 29 Dec 1995)

Hi,
I am looking for information about Roy Davies, I know for a fact that he served in the Royal Marines starting as a band boy around 1935 and saw active service aboard HMS Warspite at the battles of Narvik, Matapan and Crete. He was on active service with HMS Hawkins on D-Day in June 1944..
A family story is that after the death of his mother in 1934 his father was trying to offload Roy and his siblings, Roy supposedly the first to be unloaded in the RM's at Deal.
He excelled as a flautist and a harpist and was the piano soloist for the Royal Marines Orchestra.
If it is of any value he left the RM's in 1950 being offered a commission in the RAF. He retired as Wing Commander, Director of Music for the Royal Air Force in 1977.
Any information will be very much appreciated.
Thank you,
Lexus

 

Hi - I am re-posting this post in the hope that someone will pick up on it, I originally posted it in nearly 3 months ago

 

Lexus,

It does happen to a few threads they "sink" from view and get no help. You can edit the thread title to attract attention, suggest as adding WW2 Royal Marine help please. How? Go to your 1st post and select edit in bottom corner.

It always helps if you have their Service Number(s). A pre-war address can sometimes help identify the subject from genealogy sites and some certificates show the subject’s service number. A marriage cert. can be ordered online from https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/

We always recommend applying for the subject's full service record. Yes, it may take a year to arrive - either from the MoD or National Archives (TNA). It is not available online and is the definitive record. There is nothing you can do about the wait.

Yes, I now know - looking at your other threads - said this before.

If you search online with his unit(s) or ship(s) if known or later, so for example: "HMS XX" site:ww2talk.com that may identify threads mentioning them, at a glance without adding much.

Searching the National Archives for the subject or unit(s) can identify those who were awarded honours / medals and the existence of War Diaries – which rarely mention individuals. They do give context and details of activity.

Some research tips next via PM and good luck.

 

Hi David,
Many thanks for your reply, tips like that do help.
In this case I have so far been unsuccessful in finding his service number and I have also been searching for some time for crew lists of HMS Warspite without success.
Lexus

 

There are a few members here who visit TNA for £££. They could help looking for a crew list. I could find a list for Jutland, but not after. There are no threads or posts here for a crew list.

The RAF are reported here regularly as being faster to reply to requests for records. Is it possible his RM record was transferred to the RAF?

You could ask two members who post on naval matters: Hugh MacLean and Ewen Scott. You've posted enough to use the PM option, go to your avatar and select Start a Conversation.

 

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Regards,

Dave

 

Many thanks for that but the one I am after is his RM service number. I am going to try for his RAF service record even though it is post WW2.

 

You may find this 2025 thread useful on applying to the RAF: RAF 203 Squadron-N Africa, India and Sri Lanka

 

I have just received the RAF Service Record of REC Davies which contains the details of his previous service in the Royal Marines. He enlisted 2 days short of his 15th birthday.
As in a previous post I am looking to find his Royal Marine service number.
Can anybody advise how based on the information below.

29 Apr 1935 Enlisted - RMB/x 784 Boy Royal Marines for 12 years from age 18
26 Jan 1945 Promoted Band Corporal
09 Sep 1947 Promoted Sgt Bandmaster II
09 Jun 1950 Discharged Continuous Service

Confirming that family folklore had him aboard HMS Warspite at the battles of Narvik, Matapan and Crete. He was on active service with HMS Hawkins on D-Day in June 1944.

Any information or suggestions will be gratefully received.

Lexus

 

You've got it. RMB/X 784 is his Service Number.

Tim