251252 AB. Patrick McDermott Royal Navy SS Rutland from:Newcastle (d.30th October 1940) My Father, Patrick McDermott, forged his date of birth to join the Royal Navy in June 1915.
He was on the Marlborough at Jutland and whilst she was getting repairs at Newcastle he met and later married my mother. He ended the war on Q ships as a DEMS gunner who were administered by a shore base called HMS President 111
When he rejoined the RN in July 1940 he now entered his true date of birth. Back came his papers with that crossed out and his WW1 date of entry recorded written in. The navy has such a long memory!
Also on his WW2 service certificate shows he had rejoined HMS President 111 and was on SS Rutland as a DEMS gunner. She was sunk by a U boat on 30th of October 1940.
In the First World War he joined Q ships for the action and adventure. In WW2 he rejoined President 111 for the 2 shillings and 6 pence a day extra as our family was in financial difficulties by start of the war.
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