Part 6 Return From the East

Part 6 Return From the East

Horace had joined the navy as an able seaman, the lowest rank, and progressed after a couple of years to become an ordinary seaman, a rank which was based on experience. His character is listed on his record as good, and he does not appear to have been in any trouble.

After he returned from the far-east, he was married age 28 on 2 Apr 1867 at Sheppey Registry office, Kent to Mary Ann Roberts (nee Holland). Mary Ann was his sister’s, sister in law. She had been married two years previously at Holy Trinity Church, Portsea in Hampshire to George Roberts.  He had subsequently died leaving Mary Ann a young widow. Interestingly my Nan, Ida had Mary Ann’s first wedding certificate in her possession.

Horace and Mary Ann had four children:

• George James b.1866 (probably the son of George Roberts)
• Mary Ann James b.1870
• Alice Isabella James b. 1872 (my great grandmother)
• Elizabeth James b. 1873

Civilian life ashore can’t have suited Horace as on the 16th December 1869 he signed up for another 10 years service in the Royal Navy. His service card shows him as 5’ 5 ¼” tall with brown hair, grey eyes and a brown complexion. This time his tattoos are described as an anchor and Britannia on his right arm, crucifix and woman on his left.

In 1870 Horace and Mary Ann are listed in the local press as arriving at the York hotel on the Isle of Wight.

In 1871 the census records Horace as living with his wife and children

at home in Portsmouth and also as part of the crew on the census for HMS Wellington, where he is listed as ‘not on board’.  This census entry also includes HMS Wellington’s tenders Victory (Nelson’s flagship), Sprightly, Firequeen and Black Eagle, all ships of the Portsmouth Dockyard Reserve.

He appears to have been at Portsmouth for a couple of years before joining the crew of the HMS Hector in 1873, based in Southampton Water. Horace worked for the Coast Guard on the Hector until the ship was put in dock for re-fit in july 1874.

In 1874 After leaving HMS Hector he briefly rejoined HMS Duke of Wellington before joining the crew of HMS Vigilant in the September. Again Horace was headed to the orient.