Reginald GEORGE RNR [495]

  General Notes:

The following charts Reginald George's career, and has been resarched by R J Taylor 2013.
January 1903
Reginald serves in the training ship HMS Conway until December 1904 (1903-05 class). Subsequently apprenticed with Fernie & Sons, of Liverpool, serving in their square rigged Sardomene, 1,927 grt, launched in 1882 by Oswald, Mordaunt & Co. Later employed by the British India Steam Navigation Co
5 January 1905
Appointed Midshipman (Prob) RNR with seniority from 4 January
1 February 1908
Completes his apprenticeship with Fernies and becomes an able seaman
24 April 1908
Awarded Certificate of Competency as Second Mate of foreign-going square-rigged ships,
14 May 1908
Confirmed as Midshipman RNR with seniority from 4 January 1905
9 February 1912
Issued with his first mate's certificate for square-rigged ships after passing the exam at Cardiff the previous day. Address still given as Beethoven House. He is described as being 5ft 8ins tall with a fair complexion, red hair and grey eyes
5 March 1912
Appointed Acting Sub-lieutenant RNR
5 January 1915
Confirmed as Sub-lieutenant with seniority to take effect from 2 April 1915
7 January 1915
Appointed to the cruiser Fox for service in the Lake Nyasa steamers
13 July 1915
Appointed Acting Lieutenant with seniority from this date
2 April 1917
Confirmed as Lieutenant
1 June 1918
A report from the SNO Lake Nyasa for the period 1 June 1918 to 30 April 1919 states: 'To my satisfaction. A very efficient officer; commanded Guendolen throughout above period.'
February 1919
Lt Cdr Dennistoun, SNO Lake Nyasa, makes recommendations for awards to officers who served under his command. One of those whose "services call for high recognition" is Reginald George, shown as commanding officer of the Guendolen. It appears that from the list only Sub Lieutenant Daniel Ross, in command of the Queen Victoria, was granted an MID (LG 17 January 1919)
13 March 1919
Reginald is demobilised
1 April 1919
Is appointed second officer of the Nyasaland government's marine transport department
October 1921
Acting marine superintendent until April 1922
January 1922
Passes his exam in the ChiNyanja language with distinction (ChiNyanja was the predominant language in Nyasaland and was, after English, the language of government. Since independence as Malawi in 1964 it has been called Chichewa)
20 June 1922
Reginald writes from the Marine Transport Department, Nyasaland, to report that he is now Commander of the department
26 June 1923
Reginald's award of the RNR Reserve Decoration on 22 June is announced in the London Gazette
2 April 1925
Appointed Lieut Commander with seniority from this date
24 November 1925
Arrives at Southampton in the Saxon (Union Castle Line) having travelled first class from Natal. His UK address is given in the passenger list as the Royal Colonial Institute, Northumberland Avenue, London. Described as Commander, Nyasaland Marine, aged 38
1925
Reginald marries Olive Mary Alison Fenn in the Kensington district in the December quarter (GRO Ref: 1a 423)
10 February 1932
Placed on the RNR retired list with the rank of Commander, seniority to date from 17 January 1932
May 1933
Promoted to the post of marine superintendent
25 May 1936
Reports he is on leave pending his retirement on pension in July
11 August 1939
Recalled for war service. A note on his record sheet adds 'D.E.M.S.' (Defensively Equipped Merchant Ships). It is unlikely this meant service afloat
8 November 1939
Appointed to Spartiate at Glasgow for NCS duties, which he takes up on 14 November until the appointment is terminated on 17 November (The Naval Control Service was responsible for the organisation, assembly and sailing of convoys. )
4 December 1940
Reginald George dies at Eastbourne after a short illness.

Reginald when commanding Officer of SS Gwendoline on Lake Nyasa, Nyasaland (now Malawi) in the 1920's, lived with his wife at Bar House, Fort Johnson, at the South end of the Lake.

Reginald George was awarded the following Service Medals.
1914-15 Star
British War Medal
Victory Medal
Jubilee Medal 1935
Royal Naval Reserve Decoration
Reginald was also entitled posthumously to a War Medal 1939-45
Ref: 2013 these medals are presently held by R J Taylor who is researching Reginald's career.

Death Notice : GEORGE - On Dec 4 1940, after a short illness, Reginald George, dearly loved husband of Olive George, 49 Pashley Rd., Eastbourne. (Nyasaland papers please copy)

  Research Notes:

Reginald's birth is registered in the June quarter in the Crickhowell district GRO Ref: 11b 108

  Other Records

1. Census: Wales, 5 Apr 1891, 18 Commercial Road BedweltyTredegar West Monmouthshire. Reginald is recorded as a son aged 4 a scholar born Brynmawr Brecon

2. Census: Wales, 31 Mar 1901, 18 Commercial Road, Tredegar Monmouthshire. Reginald is recorded as a son aged 14 born Brynmawr Brecon

Reginald married Olive Mary Alison FENN [494] [MRIN: 142], daughter of Col Ernest Harrold FENN M.R.C.S. C.I.E. [15] and Bertha Alison JOBSON [16], in 1924. (Olive Mary Alison FENN [494] was born on 5 Jun 1888 in London and died on 17 Feb 1960.)