HM Transport & RN Transport

[100468]

Greetings, I would appreciate any information on these two "naval" divisions (if that is indeed what they both are) and their insignia. Over time I have noted almost identical RN style officer's cap badges with one or the other of these names on the circle surrounding the central anchor. Were they different divisions or units operating at the same time, or were they the same outfit just named differently in different eras? Many thanks

[Alex Rice]

Hi
I thought someone may have posted a reply but obviously no joy. If you do a search on the word 'transport' you'll get some earlier threads on the RN Transport badges. Sorry, I don't know how to do a link.
Good luck.
Cheers,
Alex

[100468]

Thank you Alex. Appreciate your courtesy and helpfulness. Subsequent to my posting I did by chance discover some past exchanges and photos in the forum archives, "around" this subject. However whilst interesting they did not really provide the specific answers I am looking for. Thanks again, cheers, Ray

[alco]

hello,

to these two services, you should add the MERCANTILE FLEET AUXILIARY ;
the dates and limits of these services are for long under research !!!

we have to dig deeply into the administrative history ...
to be continued .......

a+

[Guzzman]

Hello,

I know this thread has been running for a while but I have only recently joined the site so this is my first opportunity to pass on what I know!

The Royal Naval Transport Service (RNTS) was established (with effect from 1st December 1916) by an Order-in-Council dated 26th December 1916.

Officers were appointed to serve as Naval Transport Officers in ports in the UK and abroad. They supervised the transport of troops and equipment in the various theatres of war and they were stationed in the various ports of embarkation/disembarkation.

Only officers appear to have been appointed. They were recruited from the Merchant Marine (active or retired) or from Retired, Emergency or Temporary Officers from the Royal Navy.

The ranks of Officers in the RNTS (and their equivalent rank in the Royal Navy) were: -

Principal Naval Transport Officer (if a Flag Officer, the rank he held; otherwise Commodore 2nd Class)

Divisional Naval Transport Officer (Captain)

Transport Officer, 1st grade (Commander, unless already of higher rank when he retained that rank)

Transport Officer, 2nd grade (Lieutenant-Commander)

Transport Officer, 3rd grade (Lieutenant)

Transport Officer, 4th grade (Sub-Lieutenant)

The Order-in-Council also gives details of rates of pay allowances for accommodation in the ports in which they were based, i.e. if provided with hotel accommodation or if provided with quarters or victualled.

As so many other people have said in the past, the RNTS needs to have some serious research work done on it as very little is known. I haven't even been able to find any date for its being disbanded although I would presume that it was shortly after the end of the Great War - certainly by the early-1920s.

If you want to view the Order-in-Council yourself it can be seen at:

http://www.freepages.genealogy.roots...tml#1916_12_26

I hope the above is of some use!

Pete