I’ve been searching for the record of burial for Thomas Mansel for some months now. Today I found it, thanks to free access at Find My Past!
Thomas Mansel was buried at Holy Trinity in Fareham on the 5th April 1869. I found the record in the parish register. I have been looking for this for some time so was really pleased to find it.
I was also able to find a record of his baptism at St Ishmael Church which I was able to visit last month.
Posted in Mansel family
To mark Remembrance Day you can learn more about your family’s wartime experiences with free access to UK Wartime Records until 8th November on Ancestry.
I managed to find some new records relating to Frank Beven Howard, who I am related to through a great-aunt.
I found he was awarded the Royal Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in 1946 and his name appeared in two records – the Application Books and the Register Index [UK, Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972].
I also found 8 new to me records relating to the naval service of Captain Thomas Mansel so it was well worth a look. Hopefully I will have some more time before the free access ends.
Posted in Mansel family
I recently discovered a collection of paperwork relating to an application for a Navy pension written by Captain Thomas Mansel RN to the Secretary of the Admiralty on the 20th March 1846. I can’t believe these survived, tucked away at The National Archives and were catalogued. I was able to pay for the records to be scanned.
There was a Form of Certificate and Declaration required for placing the widow of an Officer of the Royal Navy on the Pension List. This was completed for Elizabeth Leigh, wife of Benjamin Leigh who had been a Retired Commander in the Royal Navy. The certificate was signed by Captain Mansel RN, William Harrison Vicar of Fareham and James xxx, Church Warden.
Captain Mansel was related to Elizabeth Leigh by marriage, he married their daughter Selina Fleming Leigh in 1828.
As well as the certificate were two pages of hand-written letter. It is always exciting to discover a hand-written letter and this one contained something else, a new address! I wasn’t aware that Captain Mansel ever lived in Devonport but he wrote the letter from 19 Tamar Terrace, Stoke, Devonport. I think the address still exists although it has been re-named. The paperwork also refers to his address in Fareham so this must have been a temporary residence.
I am looking forward to transcribing the letter when I have a moment. The signature matches that on the signed photo I have of him.
Posted in Leigh family, Mansel family, Royal Navy
A few weeks ago I mentioned that I have discovered some records relating to my ancestors held by the Caird Library at the National Maritime Museum. I was able to pay for these records to be scanned and they were sent to me last week.
Within ADL/2/19 there were four records – two relating to Henry Harper who I am related to by marriage, one for Thomas Mansel and one for Alfred Young. I have transcribed the ones relating to my ancestors and they are official warrant and commission documents from the Admiralty.
ADL/2/19 Thomas Mansel
By the Commissioners for executing the Office of Lord High Admiral of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
To Thomas Mansel Esq. hereby appointed Captain of His Majesty’s Ship Royal William
By virtue of the power and authority to us given we do hereby constitute and appoint you Captain of His Majesty’s Ship the Royal William willing and requiring you forthwith to go on board and take upon you the charge and command of Captain in her accordingly, Strictly Charging and Commanding all the Officers and Company of the said ship to behave themselves jointly and severally in their respective Employments, with all due Respect and Obedience unto you their said Captain and you likewise to observe and execute the General Printed Instructions and such Orders and Directions as you shall from time to time receive from us or any other your Superior Officers for His Majesty’s Service.
Hereof nor you nor any of you may fail as you will answer the Contrary at your Peril. And for so doing this shall be your Warrant. Given under our hands and the Seal of the Office of Admiralty this twelfth day of February 1834. In the Fourth Year of His Majesty’s Reign.
By Command of their Lordships ….
ADL/2/19 Alfred Young
By the Commissioners for executing the Office of Lord High Admiral of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
To Lieutenant Alfred Young hereby appointed Lieutenant of Her Majesty’s Ship the St Vincent
By virtue of the Power and Authority to us given We do hereby constitute and appoint you Lieutenant of Her Majesty’s Ship St Vincent Willing and requiring you forthwith to go on board and take upon you the Charge and Command of Lieutenant in her accordingly, Strictly Charging and Commanding all the Officers and Company belonging to the said ship subordinate to you to behave themselves jointly and severally in their respective Employments with all due Respect and Obedience unto you their said Lieutenant. And you likewise to observe and execute as well the General printed Instructions and such Orders and Directions you shall from time to time receive from your Captain or any other your superior Officers for Her Majesty’s service.
Hereof nor you nor any of you may fail as you will answer the contrary at your peril. And for so doing this shall be your Commission. Given under our hands and the Seal of the Office of Admiralty this First day of July 1858 in the Twenty Second Year of Her Majesty’s Reign.
By Command of their Lordships ….
Seniority 7 March 1842
For Service in Ordinary [illegible]
Posted in Mansel family, Royal Navy, Young family
A few days ago I decided to google some names I was researching. Years ago I found a record of Alfred Young’s marriage in Ireland. Stupidly I failed to take a copy of the record and cannot find it online any more. I am trying to be more careful and make copies and scans of all my records to keep them safe.
I love the fact there are still so many records to be found! I was lucky and found more records by searching the collections of Royal Museums Greenwich. There I found ADL/Z/19:
Posted in Mansel family, Young family
I only have one photograph of Thomas Mansel but in it he wears a medal. He had a good naval career so I was interested in exploring what the medal was issued for.
I searched the Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 on Ancestry and discovered a record of him:
(ADM 171) Naval General Service Medal 1793-1840
First Lieutenants or Commanders promoted; other claims for the Algiers, Navarino and Acre clasps.
Copenhagen 1801
Name of claimant Thomas Mansel
Name of ship Elephant
Date ” ”
Result ” ”
Captain’s name Sir J.B. Thompson
Rating at time of action Midshipman
The Battle of Copenhagen was a naval battle in which a British fleet fought and defeated a smaller force of the Dano-Norwegian Navy anchored near Copenhagen on 2nd April 1801. The battle came about over British fears that the powerful Danish fleet would ally with France, and a breakdown in diplomatic communications on both sides.
HMS Elephant was a 74-gun third-rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy. In 1801 Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson chose Elephant as his flagship during the Battle of Copenhagen due to its suitability for the shallow waters there.
Thomas Mansel was on board the Elephant which was badly damaged in the battle and ran aground.
Posted in Mansel family
