WORLD WAR I
Bingham War Memorial
Service Record
| 17829 | Corporal George William Mettam | Royal Marines Light Infantry | |
| Service record, Facsimile |
Enlisted 2nd February 1913 in Nottingham. Occupation: saddle
and harness maker. Next of in: Mary Buckland, Nottingham Road, Bingham then after marriage on 16th December 1920: wife Lilian 6 Prices Close, Ramsgate He was able to swim, having been tested at Deal on 8th September 1913. He was 5’6¾” on enlistment but 5’8 on re-engagement and 5’7½ on discharge. He had brown hair and brown eyes. He had tattoos on both forearms. His occupation was given as saddler and harness maker. He served on a variety of ships interspersed with periods at base in Chatham. A full list of ships with principle engagements is here. He was paid a war gratuity of £30 on 20 August 1919. He also won a navy prize of £19.10.0 on 18th May 1920. Entries in the record under heading: “Employment during service”: 31/12/23 – 22/7/25 Asst Adjt for Parade Action (confirmed) 28/8/24 – 23/2/29 MTI (Military Training Instructor) Fort B… 18/9/32-4/2/34 CQMS “C” Company [Company Quarter Master Sergeant] 23/12/41-29/4/41 MTI 2nd Class He was awarded the 1914-15 Star and several good conduct badges during his service. He went on to serve in the China flotilla and retired in 1941. His address on demobilisation was given as 317 Maidstone (Road?) and “next of kin” as a friend Mrs DWAN at that address. There is a note in the box on the form for pension information “see under 17830”. The only record in this reference is the one we already have! This contained three other records, all for men aged 15 and dismissed for being under age. Did the Navy suspect George was also under age, but let it lie? [See note top right]. |
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| Gene reunited | A George William Mettam is named on the Royal Marine Medal Roll 1914—1918 as no. CH/17829 Corporal George William Mettam, who was discharged to Pension in 1920. (Genes reunited). He was awarded the Star, British and Victory Medals. But there is no break in service on his service record. With this exception, the two records are clearly for the same service number and therefore man. His main service record shows he was a Corporal at the time. | ||
| AVL and Roll of Honour | Listed on both RoH and AVL George William, Nottingham Rd - Ch 1729 M/Cpl R.M.L.I. HMS "Marshal Ney" |
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Family history etc
| Corporal George William Mettam | |||
| 1894 | Born Newark [census North Muskham] | 22nd November 1894 (service record) | |
| 1897 | Alfred Buckland married Mary Elizabeth Mettam in Newark registry district | ||
| 1901 census | Living in East Bridgford with: Step-father: Alfred, b. 1869 Thoroton Mother: Mary E, b 1869 North Muskham Half-sister: Lucy H, b. 1899 East Bridgford |
Market Gardener |
See below – George is Alfred’s step-son George Mettam [Mattin on census transcript] |
| 1911 census | Living on Nottingham Road, Bingham with: Step-father: Alfred Buckland Mother: Mary Elizabeth Half-sister: Mary Ellen Step-father’s brother: George Brown b. 1855 North Muskham We have been unable to identify George Brown as Alfred’s brother. Might be a brother-in-law to Alfred or Elizabeth. |
Saddler’s apprentice Chauffeur & gardener Tailor |
Alfred was brother or cousin to Joseph Buckland who served in the royal Defence Corps. |
| 1921 1926 |
George married Lilian B Hawood at Thanet, Kent Dec qtr They had a daughter Doris V Mar qtr 1926 Thanet 2a 1716 |
6 Prices Close, Southwood, Ramsgate. | (From navy Next of Kin record) |
| Electoral Register | 1919 -1928 Mary Elizabeth Buckland, Nottingham Road 1929-1931 Mary Elizabeth Buckland, Station Street |
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| AVL 1919-1924 | George Mettam Nottingham Road | ||
| 1939 Register | 25, Council Houses, [Nottingham Road] Bingham: Mary Elizabeth Buckland, widow, B 17 June 1869 Lewis Squires, married, B 27 Nov 1899 Ellen Squires (neé Buckland), married , B 6 Apr 1898 Two closed records Violet Gertrude Hudson, single, B 10 May 1895 |
Daily domestic duties Poor Law Institution Builder’s assistant Unpaid domestic duties Drapers assistant |
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| 1939 Register | 6 Prices Avenue, Ramsgate: Lilian B Mettam b. 10th December 1895, married Doris V, b. 7th February 1926, single |
Unpaid household duties |
Serving military personnel were generally not listed in the register. |
| 1945 | Left the navy |