Go to the Royal Navy Research Archive home page

Go to the Royal Navy Research Archive home page to view a range of web pages related to RN ships, establishments, units, and personnel, from the start of World War Two through to the post-war years and into the 21st century. Content includes articles, short histories and the reminiscences of the men and women who served in the Royal Navy, WRNS, and Royal Marines.

Royal Navy Research Archive site news

Details of newly added materials on the site and its sub-sites.

Forum Rules

Please read these rules.

Admin / General Forum Announcements

Any information or announcements that you need to know about.

Forum Hints & Tips

How to... Some simple guidance on how to use various forum features.

UK Establishments

Topics relating to a specific RN or RM base/establishment/Naval Party in the United Kingdom

Overseas Establishments

Topics relating to a specific RN or RM base/establishment/Naval Party in other countries

Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve

Topics relating to Volunteer Reservists or to a specific RNVR Division or sub-division

Royal Navy Reserve

Topics relating to RN Reservists or to a specific Royal Naval Reserve Unit

Royal Fleet Reserve

Topics relating to RN or RM Reservists who served with Royal Fleet Reserve

Royal Marines Reserve

Topics relating to Royal Marines Reserve Reservists or to a specific Royal Marines Reserve Unit

Royal Navy

Topics relating to individuals who served in the Royal Navy

Royal Marines

Topics relating to individuals who served in the Royal Marines

Women's Royal Naval Service

Topics relating to individuals who served in the WRNS

Queen Alexandra's Royal Navy Nursing service.

Topics relating to individuals who served in the QARNNS

Service Records/Medals and Awards

Topics relating to RN/RM/WRNS Service Records/Medals and Awards

Looking for old shipmates

Pot message here seeking contact with former colleagues - note this is not a chat board, if you make contact please take it to e-mail.

Squadrons

Topics relating to First and Second Line RN Air Squadrons, Ship and Station Flights

Aircraft

Topics relating to Aircraft operated by the Royal Navy past and present

Aircraft Carriers

Topics relating to Aircraft Carriers operated by the Royal Navy past and present

Shore Bases

Topics relating to RN Air Stations and RN Air establishments past and present - including RN Air Maintenance Yards RN Air Repair Yards, Mobile Naval Air Bases, and RN Air Sections.

Major Warships

Battleships, Dreadnoughts, Cruisers.

Escort Vessels

Destroyers Frigates, Sloops.

Combined Operations

Landing Craft Assault, Landing Craft Infantry, Landing Craft Tank, Landing Craft Navigation, Landing Craft Flak, Landing Craft Gun, Landing Craft Rocket, Landing Craft Support.

Coastal Forces

Motor Launches, Motor Gun Boats, Steam Gun Boats, Motor Torpedo Boats

Mine Warfare

Minelayers, Minesweepers, and Danlayers,

Anti-Submarine warfare

Netlayers, Boom Defence Vessels amd A/S Trawlers

Auxiliaries

Repair Ships, Depot Ships, Accommodation Ships, Hospital Ships, Store Issuing Ships, Tugs, Oilers, RFA Vessels.

Pre 1919 Vessels

Topics concerning any type of vessel in service prior to the start of World War One should be posted in this section.

Submarines

Pre-1919 Badges

Enquiries/discussions about the informal ship's badges in use before they were standardized in 1919

Post-1919 Badges

Enquiries/discussions about official ship's badges issued after 1919

Unofficial Badges

Enquiries/discussions about any badge used by an RN vessel that was not approved by the Admiralty

RN Research Archive Mystery Photo page

Visit the Royal Navy Research Archive Mystery Photo page and see if you can put forward a suggestion as to the who/what/where relating to the unidentified pictures.

Members Mystery Photos

Use this board to post pictures that show unidentified vessels/locations/people or present a mystery to be solved.

Photo requests

Post requests for photos on specific topics here.

General photograph sharing board

Use this board to post pictures that show vessels/locations/people that you wish to share.

General Discussion

Feel free to talk about anything related to the Royal Navy that is not covered in the predefined categories on this board.

Book Lists

Read any good reference books lately? Share your recommended book lists with others here.

Associations

Are you a member/organiser of a naval association? Post details of your association and how to get in contact here.

Web Site Links

Visited any good Naval History web sites lately? Share your links with others here.

Helping researchers

Are you researching a particular aspect of the RN/RM/WRNS? Writing a book, making a documentary or compiling a web site? Post details of your research project and how members can get in contact here.