Redpath, William, Able Seaman, 1893-1985.

Diaries and other material relating to the service of Able Seaman William Redpath during the First World War. The diaries cover his naval career from December 1915 to June 1919, and all three ships he served on, the battleship HMS ALBEMARLE, the destroyer HMS ORFORD and the cruiser HMS MINERVA. During wartime there was a ban on service personnel keeping diaries which he defied.

Administrative / biographical background
Redpath was born in Middlesbrough in 1893. He was a reporter for 'The Newcastle Evening Chronicle' from 1912 until May 1915, producing a Sunday war edition. He entered the Navy in November 1915 and first served as an ordinary seaman on the battleship HMS ALBEMARLE. He was promoted to able seaman in October 1916, and spent some time at the gunnery school HMS Excellent at Portsmouth. He later served on the destroyer HMS ORFORD and the cruiser HMS MINERVA. He returned to his civilian career as a journalist after being demobilised in June 1919. His service record can be found under the reference ADM 188/739/46445 at The National Archives.