Was he at Jutland: Frank Foot

= Narrative =

Email Tuesday, 30 Oct 2018, 23:26
I understand that my ancestor Frank Foot, born Up Cerne, Dorset 1889 was at the Battle of Jutland. I would be very proud if he was there but I have been unable to trace his ship and service info.

If you help at all, I would be very grateful.

For your background info I understand he deserted from the British Army and emigrated to New Zealand, later he joined the navy.

Very many thanks

Mark Foot

Email Wednesday, 31 Oct 2018, 22:23
" the family bible shows one year earlier than his service record card and I believe it should be the date on the bible. His name was just Frank Foot."

Email Thursday, 1 Nov 2018, 19:09
"A number of older members of the family advised that he was at the battle but I have no proof and I would love to know if he was there or if they were mistaken. "

Email Friday 11 Oct 2019, 17:00
A couple of years ago I contacted you as a relation I strongly believed to be at Jutland. Although various family members have been confident of his participation it appears that so far nothing is proving that he was there.

Frank Foot was born in Up Cerne, Dorset 1889 and I understand the he either deserted or similar from the army and moved to New Zealand. There was a amnesty for deserters and he joined the New Zealand Navy. After the war he returned to NZ. I believe he was not injured at the battle.

If I can provide any additional information then please ask.

Kind regards

Mark Foot

Additional Note
To date it has not been possible to confirm whether Frank Foot was at the Battle of Jutland as a further service record has not been able to be found. There also appears to be a discrepancy between the Army and Navy dates.

= Timeline =

27 April 1889 Date of Birth
Date of birth: 27 April 1889 although his service card gives a date of birth of 27 April 1890

2 March 1906 Attestation Dorset Regiment
Official number 5135 Dorset Regiment 2 March 1906 17 years 11 months old.

4 June 1915 Date of Entry RND
The date of entry is taken from his service card (Service Card Page 1 & 2). This is also available on The National Archives website here. His official number was Z.P/2006. There is also a record on the 'Lives of the First World War' project here.

4 September 1915 Rating
His service card shows 'Rating 4.9.15'

7 September 1915 Drafted to Grand Fleet
His service card shows: 7.9.15 Drafted from Cryat1. "Palace" to H.M.S. 'Victory I" for duty with the Grand Fleet. 1095. Cannot find service record detailing the ships that he was on from 7.9.15

4 July 1916 Army Discharge
Service number 23867 - there is an entry on the 'Lives of the First World War' project that indicates that the record was generated from his medal index card. He was discharged from The Devonshire Regiment on 4 July 1916 the reason being given as "not being likely to become an efficient Soldier" Para 392 (iii)(c) KR The details of Para 392 (iii)(c) Kings Regulations are: (iii) Not being likely to become and efficient soldier - (c) Recruit within three months of enlistment considered unfit for service.



1918 Wedding Day
Frank Foot in navy uniform (not possible to read his cap tally)