Ratings records of service are available from c.1800 up until enlistment date of 1923. Details on earlier records can be rather sparse.
Most records generally show age on enlistment, place of birth, trade or calling, ships.
Royal Marine officers records up to the Great War period can be obtained and show service to c.1950. These show date and place of birth, trade, description, religion, date and place of enlistment, postings, wounds, medals and conduct. Earlier records that this can still be obtained, but not all have survived. In these cases it is possible to trace a mans service through the Description books and ships musters. This page is currently being updated.