Liverpool & South West Lancashire FHS - Forum

Thomas Alfred Plant b 1861 Liverpool joined royal navy 1897 retired ashore 1906.all docs describe him as engine room articifer.Family story says he retired as a commander.my question would an engine room articifer ever be made upto commander? seems a big jump to me.

sid fowler

Thought I'd try for a death and perhaps probate but unfortunately can't match his names to the birth. Can you perhaps suggest a possible death date and place for him? Surely a Commander would have left a Will?

Hello Sid,
I think the family story may have been elaborated on in the telling... Wouldn't be the first time....

In the last available census, that of 1910+1, Thomas Alfred Plant is living at 29 Ocean Street, East Devonport, Devonshire, with his wife and family. He is employed at a Government Dockyard as a "marine engineer" [aka 'engine fitter' according to the enumerator]. Two of his sons are also working at the dockyard.

PLANT, Thomas Alfred married KIRWAN, Clarissa.
Registration district: West Derby, Lancashire
Year of registration: 1885; Jun qtr
Volume no: 8B; Page no: 641

So he had left the RN and taken up civvy employment doing more or less the same job. I very much doubt a Navy Commander would have returned to a heavy manual trade. He appears to have died in 1940...

Death: PLANT, Thomas A
Registration district: Plymouth, Devon
Year of registration: 1940; Mar qtr
Age at death: 79
Volume no: 5B; Page no: 982

Is this your man in 1901 in DEvonport?

Thomas A Plant 39 engine room arificer RN bn Liverpool
Clarissa 39 bn Liverpool
Alfred C 15 son bn Portsmouth
Sydney P 13 son bn Devonport
William R 7 son bn Debonport
Gwendoline daur 4bn Devonport
Alan K son 1 bn Devonport

If it is about 10 years later he is still in Devonport working at the government dockyard (he has written Marine enginer) this has been crossed out and engine fitter written.

This would tie in with his previous job in the engine room.

I think Commander could be wishful thinking!!

Probate index 1940
Thomas Alfred Plant of 29 Ocean St Keyham Devonport died 18 March 1940 at City Hospital Plymouth. Probate London 7 May 1940 to Alfred Cecil Plant wood caulker and Alan Kimberley Plant admiralty clerical officer. Effects £420.

Education Officer wrote:Probate index 1940
Thomas Alfred Plant of 29 Ocean St Keyham Devonport died 18 March 1940 at City Hospital Plymouth. Probate London 7 May 1940 to Alfred Cecil Plant wood caulker and Alan Kimberley Plant admiralty clerical officer. Effects £420.

Well found Hilary.
In 1940, £420 would have the same spending worth of 2005's £12,062.40.
[Courtesy of http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/curr ... ts.asp#mid ]

Thank you DS I'll take a bow!

Thomas' death certificate would give his last occupation probably something like "retired _______".

Education Officer wrote:Thank you DS I'll take a bow!

Thomas' death certificate would give his last occupation probably something like "retired _______".

I'd place a small bet on 'Retired marine engineer'?

I think it is quite possible that the Naval Commander story was told by a grandfather to a grandson who was inquisitive about what granddad did in the Navy...

dickiesam wrote: I think it is quite possible that the Naval Commander story was told by a grandfather to a grandson who was inquisitive about what granddad did in the Navy...

Unless of course whoever registered the death believed the story .......

Thanks to all those who replied to my query.It sums up my own thoughts on the matter.Just an uncle gilding the lily a bit.
A merry christmas to all.Temperature here is warming up to a nice 24 deg C in time for christmas.

Sid Fowler