The Royal Marines Band Service On-line Community

DanielLockhart · Posted: Thu Aug 17, 2006 4:19 am Post subject: Lamp Trimmer

Greetings all,

Reading through my Grandfather's service record, I came across an certification for Lamp Trimmer. This occured about the time he became a Band Master 2nd Class. It was next to his swimming and first aid exam. I am having a hard time believing one would need to be tested for trimming lamp wicks. Anyone care to enlighten me !

Thanks,
Daniel

General Melchett · Posted: Thu Aug 17, 2006 8:53 am Post subject:

Prior to the full electrification of ships in the early 20thC may Sailors and Marines would have been taught this task, just as they would have helped out with "Coaling Ship" and the like. The Band was an integral part of the ship whilst working in the Transmitting Station. I have not found any quotes particular to lamp trimming in particular, but I wouldn't find it unusual. Just as any Marine serving on a ship since has been responsible for rounds of the mess barracks or square or their particular area of ship.
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General Melchett · Posted: Thu Aug 17, 2006 8:59 am Post subject:

Daniel,

Further to my last post, could I also recommend the book "A Life on the Ocean Wave" by Mr John Trendell. You should be able to buy it from the Corps Museum at Eastney.
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DanielLockhart · Posted: Thu Aug 17, 2006 4:25 pm Post subject: Lamp Trimmer

Thanks for the reply Mick,

I didn't see any reference in Life on the Seas, but then it is a pretty detailed book. It still seems strange to my thoughts as we did a lot in the service that never got tested. This included Kitchen Patrol, Dorm Security, basic firefighting, etc. Our first aid was tested but that was a week long course and they used the Red Cross exam. I was assuming (maybe foolishly) that the lamptrimmer was more of trimming the lamps and candles in music halls and such. I was able to locate photos of all the eleven ships he served on and they weren't things of beauty! Of course in 1917 you just hoped they performed their duty... Thanks again.
Daniel

bootybandy · Posted: Thu Aug 17, 2006 10:11 pm Post subject:

Mick !!!!! That's a bit familiar calling a General...MICK.....LoL
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Pusser · Posted: Fri Aug 18, 2006 7:10 am Post subject:

Lamp Trimmer..........................

I will post an answer here shortly just as soon as an internet colleague replies to me.
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Pusser · Posted: Fri Aug 18, 2006 7:48 am Post subject:

The following received from Mr Paul Benyon with thanks:

“I have a feeling that the branch became obsolete in the RN circa 1920, having been in the process of being phased out for some years, and that Royal Marines, along with their role as butchers, still going when I was in the Andrew, took over the roll – KR & AI for 1913 instructs as follows:

1178: Marines on Special Duties: - Privates of Royal Marines, not recruits, may be employed as lamptrimmers, butchers, or barbers in ships in which these ratings are allowed in the complement, and will receive in addition to their pay the sums sanctioned in Articles 1459 and 1460.

If qualified, the notation " qualified as Lamptrimmer," or " Butcher," as the case may be, is to be made on the man's service certificate, and, except on probation, no man is to be employed in either or any of these ratings unless this notation is so recorded.

The references:

1459: Lamptrimmer: - A Private of Royal Marines employed as lamptrimmer in a ship in which this rating is allowed, is to receive 2d a day, and, in addition, the allowance specified in clause 2, if he is the senior or only lamptrimmer. The employment of marines as lamptrimmers is to be noted in red ink under their names in the ledger.

This allowance is also payable to any person, who, in the absence of a duly qualified marine, satisfactorily performs the duty of lamptrimmer in a ship allowed the rating. The person so performing the duty is to be shown on the ship's books as " Acting Lamptrimmer."

2: Senior or only Lamptrimmer: - For the due care of the lamps and lamp stores in His Majesty's ships and establishments an allowance at the rate of from 1d to 4d a day (at the discretion of the Admiralty) is
payable to the senior or only lamptrimmer allowed or the person acting in that capacity.

3: The allowance to the senior or only lamptrimmer is to be considered as a gratuity for thoroughly efficient performance of duty, and is not to be paid as a matter of course, but only upon a special certificate
on the ledger signed by the Carpenter or, in ships in which a Carpenter is not borne, by the Navigating Officer, and approved by the Captain, that the lamps and stores have been carefully and properly
attended to.

4: Lamps in another Ship: - Whenever, in exceptional cases, a lamptrimmer is allowed in the complement in one of His Majesty's ships, vessels, or depots, for the care of lamps and lamp stores on board another ship not in commission, or on board a hulk or overflow ship, an allowance within the rates authorised in clause I of this
Article may be granted for the due care of such lamps and lamp stores. The Captain will therefore transmit to the. Accountant-General a detailed statement of the circumstances of each such case as it arises, with a view to enabling the Admiralty to determine whether an allowance should be granted, and, if so, at what rate.”

Paul Benyon has an interesting website http://www.pbenyon.plus.com/Naval.html which contains a mass of information concerning the RN.

Clearly the RN (and probably the Merchant Navy) took the business of lamp trimming seriously for obvious reasons. Since we have a loose date of 1917 for this Bandmaster 2nd Class I think it would be safe to assume, when Bands occupied the TS at actions stations well below the waterline, that someone had to be a qualified Lamptrimmer. Who better than the Bandmaster?

It would be interesting to discover if any other Bandmasters have the same Adqual on their SCs for the same period.

Incidentally, Paul notes that Naval traditions die hard. With the advent of electrical power throughout each warship, from the 1920s and on, the ‘new’ light bulbs were still called lamps! Probably still are by the hard line Greenies.
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General Melchett · Posted: Fri Aug 18, 2006 8:49 am Post subject:

Now that is a comprehensive reply!

BZ,
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MrJpig · Posted: Fri Aug 18, 2006 9:13 am Post subject:

Yes Pusser very interesting and informative reply. You have rightly stolen the title of 'MICK' from the General!!

sticky blue · Posted: Fri Aug 18, 2006 10:41 am Post subject:

Aaron Aardvark · Posted: Fri Aug 18, 2006 10:51 am Post subject:

where's Micky Cains knob Melch?

I didnt nick it!!!!

General Melchett · Posted: Fri Aug 18, 2006 10:58 am Post subject:

Put it back this instant!

If not, it's the Zulus for you...
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Aaron Aardvark · Posted: Fri Aug 18, 2006 10:59 am Post subject:

General Melchett · Posted: Fri Aug 18, 2006 11:02 am Post subject:

To be honest, I don't know how many I can find in Edinburgh at this time of day. There's Uganadans in the Tattoo, will they do? I think there's about 25 of them.
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Aaron Aardvark · Posted: Fri Aug 18, 2006 11:04 am Post subject:

Where's Uganada? Is that a ghetto in Canada?