John Stuart Munro (b)

Able Seaman John Stuart Munro, R.N., (21 December, 1880 – 16 March, 1948) was a sailor in the Royal Navy. He should not be confused with another man, a shipwright, of the same name, born in London on 8 February, 1870.

Life & Career

Born in Aberlour, Banffshire, on 21 December, 1880, Munro joined the Royal Navy as a Boy, Second Class, aboard the training ship Caledonia at Queenferry on 23 July, 1897. He had previously been a gardener. He became a Boy, First Class, on 10 March, 1898. From 7 May to 17 June he was appointed to Minotaur, then back to Caledonia, and to Agincourt on 28 September. Upon reaching the age of 18 on 21 December he signed on for a 12 year period of Continuous Service and was rated Ordinary Seaman the same day. His service record notes that he had dark brown hair, light blue eyes, a dark complexion and a slight scar over his left eye.

We document him here, primarily, as we have been entrusted with a personal logbook he maintained while aboard the sloop Odin on her first commission on the Cape of Good Hope and West Africa Station, 1903-1904. He was appointed to the ship on 16 January, 1903 until 9 November 1904.

A Chatham rating, on 3 January, 1899, Munro was appointed to Pembroke I at Chatham. On 17 January he joined the new cruiser Pactolus. On 1 September, 1900, he was rated Able Seaman and a Trained Man.

On 8 April, 1908, Munro was appointed to the armoured cruiser Natal. He was "Not recommended for re-engt" (re-engagement) when his 12 years Continuous Service expired, despite ultimately being given two "V.G." entries for character. Accordingly he was discharged to shore on his 30th birthday and his time in the Navy was over. He does not appear to have been enrolled in the Royal Fleet Reserve.

Munro died aged 67 on 16 March, 1948.

See Also

• Service Record.