1907 Joining the Royal Naval Reserve (RNR)

I joined the R.N.R. In 1907 applied to the Company for time off to do my R.N.R. training which was granted me so I joined H.M.S. "Illustrious" (Battleship) at Portsmouth and was given a 1st. certificate in gunnery after 4 weeks training, also promoted to acting Lieutenant from Sub-Lt. R.N.R. I left H.M.S. Illustrious in some place in Ireland and proceeded to Devonport to go through a 3 months gunnery training. I obtained my gunnery Certificate which consisted of big gun training, machine gun training including Squad and Battalion drill, also field gun - ammunition instruction in detail. After completing the gunnery course I was forthwith sent to H.M.S. Defiance for a three month torpedo and electric course I obtained a Torpedo Course certificate (2nd. Class) and went home to await appointment to a ship to do 12 month training in a Battleship. My appointment arrived in due course and I was to join H.M.S. Commonwealth at Portland as Lieut. R.N.R. I arrived on board that ship at 4 p.m. some afternoon. When I stepped on her quarter deck it looked like a big field. She was a first line Battleship carrying 4, 9" guns 12, 6" guns (6 each side). Her Captain was The Hon. Horace Hood fairly young for a Captain (about 38) he was quite a smart officer, this was in 1908 when there was quite a talk and a scare about the German High Sea fleet and the war which was bound to come before long.

I was given charge of the 6" Battery of 6 guns, kept day watches in port and watch on the Bridge when out at sea with the fleet, - my life as a Ward Room Officer turned out to be very comfortable after I had got to know Naval Routine etc. I had heard that the Naval officer as a rule did not behave very friendly towards the R.N.R. officer but I experienced it quite the reverse. I found them very agreeable towards me. I was really sorry to see the end of my term in the H.M.S. Commonwealth (note in Margin on this page “Battle of Jutland“) Among the officers were Commander Samson (Flying man later) and the midshipman Kennedy - also afterwards a flying man Lieut. Acton (Gunnery) Commander Lowndes Ship's Commander - also Commander Hyde (Navigation Officer). After completing 18 months Naval Training I went home on leave, they gave me a moving send-off and made me guest of the evening at dinner Captain Hood being present.