William joined the Royal Navy as a trainee stoker on January 1st 1889. The draw of the sea and sailing must have been strong for a young man growing up in a village where job prospects were limited. Portsmouth, with its naval dockyard, was just eleven miles away and the popularity of all things associated with the sea and the navy continued to flourish in Victorian society during the last quarter of the 19th century.

There was a great need for stokers to work on the relatively new steam-powered navy vessels and recruitment drives were held at the end of the 19th century. The stoker’s job was essentially a manual one and unlike most other ratings, applicants had to be at least 18 years old. The only additional requirements were that they should be young men of very good character and able-bodied. Applicants under twenty-one years of age had to have a chest measurement of at least 34 inches - and half an inch more if they were older.

The minimum height for recruits was set at five feet three inches (William’s Navy service record states he was five feet six and a half inches tall on enlistment). No previous experience was required so the role of stoker provided an ideal pathway into the Service for those lacking high formal educational qualifications or training. Recruits were required to commit themselves to an initial period of twelve years service. During this time good opportunities were provided by the Navy for the young trainee to acquire a range of military and technical skills. After his initial training at Portsmouth, William was drafted to HMS Terror in October 1889 for three years service on the North America & West Indies Station. The picture shows William in his stoker's uniform on the Discovery.

Next: Lashly's First Ships