The Royal Navy in World War Two for Family Historians
Richard Marks
- Region:
- South East
- Notice Period:
- Short (maybe less than one month's notice)
- Type:
- Professional
- Fee:
- Paid: £75 plus travel @45p per mile up to 50 miles from Reading. Can also be run online
- Category:
- History
- Updated:
- 10th January 2024
- Tagged:
- Family History | Royal Navy | World War 2 | Royal Marines
This talk is designed for Family Historians who are researching their relatives who served in the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines, the Fleet Air Arm and the Women’s Royal Naval Service in World War Two.
The Royal Navy was active across the globe during the war with service personnel from all branches serving everywhere the navy needed them. Modern warships and technology helped the navy retain command of the seas but what did all this mean to the people who served in the navy?
We will look at the ranks, roles and divisions of the navy and what that meant to the lives of the people who served in order to help researchers gain an understanding of what family relatives were doing during the war. The talk will unravel some of terminology and jargon used by the navy and sailors referred to including what the classification of different types of warships meant to the roles they undertook and how this impacted the service lives of their crews both at sea and ashore.
The Women’s Royal Naval Service (WRNS) was an important part of the navy’s work during the war and so we will look at the structure, ranks and roles of the service as well as where the women of the WRNS served. The Second World War saw the battleship eclipsed as the ‘Queen of the Seas’ by the Aircraft Carrier and its aircraft and we will look at what this meant to the men of the Fleet Air Arm, what aircraft they flew and the operations they undertook.
Photographs can sometimes be tricky to decipher so we will look at some tips on what clues may be hiding in old family photographs which will help add more to the story of a family.
We will also look at where documents and sources useful to exploring family history related to the navy may be found.
Views: 422 | Enquiries: 0About Richard Marks
I am a freelance historian based in Berkshire with publications on industrial, military, and railway history, as well as the history of science. I am currently researching the industrial development in the Victorian era, the evolution of the railway and canal systems in Britain in the second half of the 19th century, and the history of British industry. I hold a PhD in economic history from the University of Reading, which I obtained in 2024. I have also taught courses on various historical topics as a tutor with the WEA.
My talks are suitable for different audiences and group sizes. I can adjust the length and format to meet your needs. My goal is to inform and entertain, and to leave the audience with a new insight and a desire to learn more.
My previous career in technology, working with British and international manufacturing companies, has given me a unique perspective as an historian.
Feedback from previous talks: "Richard had clearly done a massive amount of research and preparation. He is an excellent presenter very knowledgeable and engaging speaker. It was informative and thought provoking."
"I found the whole subject fascinating and wanted to learn more."
Other Talks on SpeakerNet by Richard Marks
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- Iron Dragons: British Tanks in the First World War
- A Barber and a Surgeon: Medicine in Victorian Times
- Stephenson's Horses: The Victorian Railways
- Trouble at Mill: Life in the Victorian Factories
- An Eclectic Extravaganza: Victorians at Leisure
- Chocks Away: The Royal Flying Corps in the First World War
- So You Think We Do Not Make Anything Anymore ? British Manufacturing in the 21st Century
- The Great Western Railway in Victorian Berkshire
- Munitions Workers in World War One
- Britain's Railways During World War One
- Britain's Railways During World War Two
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- They also Served: Women in Britain's Armed Forces during World War Two
- A Germination of an Idea: The Suttons Seeds Company
- A lot of Bs: Industry in Victorian Reading; more than just Biscuits
- What did Aunt May do in the War? Munitions Workers in World War One for Family Historians
- What Did Grandma do in World War 2? Munitions Workers in World War Two for Family Historians
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- Football and World War One
- Britain's Railway History for Family Historians
- The Royal Air Force in World War 2
- Biscuits for Queen Victoria: The Story of the Early Days of Huntley and Palmer
- The Royal Navy in World War I
- The Royal Navy in World War 2
- The Western Front in World War One
- The Home Front in World War I
- More Than France: Why World War I was a World War
- A British Industrial Giant that Never Was: The Story of British Rail Engineering Limited
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