Explore the fascinating history of the British Coastguard and uncover your ancestors' stories with the records from The National Archives series ADM 175. These meticulously preserved documents, spanning from the early 19th century to the aftermath of World War I, provide a unique glimpse into the lives of those who protected Britain’s shores. Dive into the Establishment Books, Service Records, and more to trace your family’s connection to this vital coastal defence force.
Explore the fascinating history of the British Coastguard and uncover your ancestors' stories with the records from The National Archives series ADM 175. These meticulously preserved documents, spanning from the early 19th century to the aftermath of World War I, provide a unique glimpse into the lives of those who protected Britain’s shores. Dive into the Establishment Books, Service Records, and more to trace your family’s connection to this vital coastal defence force.
With every record you will find an image of the original record and a transcript of the vital details. The transcripts will include a combination of the following facts:
Always review the original image for more detail and explore the images on either side by using the thumbnails.
A Brief History of the Coastguard
As a prominent maritime nation, Britain has long recognised the need for structures to monitor and protect its extensive coastline. The origins of the British Coastguard trace back to January 15, 1822, when it was officially established as Her Majesty's Coastguard (HM Coastguard). However, the roots of this service date further back to the time of the Riding Officers, who patrolled the coasts on horseback to combat smuggling. The Coastguard was formed by amalgamating these Riding Officers with the Revenue Cruisers and the Preventive Water Guard, who employed small boats to prevent illicit trade along the coast.
Initially focused on anti-smuggling operations, the Coastguard's responsibilities expanded over time to include search and rescue missions and ensuring the safety of people at sea. The Coast Guard Service Act of 1856 further strengthened the service, providing better provisions for coastal defence and readiness to assist the Royal Navy. The role of the Coastguard became particularly crucial during World War I, when many members were mobilized and joined the Royal Navy.
Description of the Records
The historical records of the British Coastguard, preserved in The National Archives series ADM 175, offer a comprehensive insight into the evolution and operations of this essential service. These records cover Scotland, England, Wales, and Ireland before the partition, and were created from microfilms housed at The National Archives. The series comprises six main types of documents:
The records predate the formal establishment of HM Coastguard, reflecting earlier anti-smuggling efforts and the integration of various maritime enforcement bodies. Notably, the 1831 salary records indicate a chief boatman earned £10, while a commissioned boatman earned £5. The records also show that those joining the Coastguard would initially be rated as boatmen, with opportunities for promotion to commissioned boatmen and ultimately to chief boatmen if deserving.
These historical documents chronicle the administrative and operational aspects of the Coastguard and provide a window into the lives and duties of those who served to protect Britain's coastline.