James Driscoll

Date of birth: 24th December 1886
Place of birth: Shandon, Cork , Ireland
Previous occupation: Clerk
Service: Royal Navy
Rank: Regulating Petty Officer
Service Number: 226540
Joined Hood: 8th August 1923 (Regulating Petty Officer)
Left Hood: 30th August 1925 (Regulating Petty Officer)







Biographical Information: Born near Cork on Christmas Eve 1886, James Driscoll joined the Royal Navy in 1903, as a Boy Second Class. Although still just 16, he had already spent time as a clerk. At age 18 he signed on for twelve years mans time, in the Seaman Branch, later extended.By the time James joined the new battleship HMS Resolution early in 1916, he had already served in a range of ships of the late Victorian era, and was a Leading Seaman. He was present in Revenge at the battle of Jutland in May that year. He was highly experienced in life aboard big ships, and also served in Colossus, Resolution and Lion during World War I.Whilst in Revenge, and recently rated Petty Officer, James took a major career change, moving from the Seaman Branch to the Regulating (Police) Branch, taking a reduction in rate, from PO to Corporal Second Class (Leading Rate equivalent) before later being advanced to Regulating Petty Officer (RPO). James was awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in January 1920. As an RPO, James was selected in 1923 to join Hood for the World Cruise of the Special Service Squadron (1923-24) assisting Master at Arms Sharman (q.v.) in the demanding task of maintaining discipline on board. He stayed in Hood until August 1925, and remained on the Royal Navys active list until being pensioned off on 23 December 1926, the day before his 40th birthday. He rejoined the RN, for service ashore, just before the start of World War ll in 1939, remaining until 1942.

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