In Memoriam
Portsmouth 7057 Colour Sergeant Thomas Fawcett JULIN R.M.L.I.
Thomas Julin
was born at Eastney, Portsmouth 11/9/1874. He first enlisted at Eastney Barracks
22/10/1888 age 14 as a Bugler in the Royal Marine Artillery (number RMA/3592)
but was Discharged 23/4/1889 "Not likely to make an efficient Bugler"
to his home address: 2 Saxe Weimar Rd., Albert Rd., Southsea.
Not discouraged from pursuing a military career, he enlisted in the 2nd Hants
Artillery Volunteers in 1892, then re-enlisted in the Royal Marines at Gosport
29/9/1893, this time as PO/7057 Pte. Royal Marines Light Infantry.
Pte. Julin's first sea-service was aboard HMS "Australia" 27/3/1895-26/3/1896,
followed shortly after in joining HMS "Intrepid" for three years
28/4/1896-8/7/1899. During his time aboard "Intrepid" he incurred
his only recorded offences from an otherwise spotless naval career:-
10/11/1896 "Skylarking in the Ward Room": 5 days No.10A
4/7/1897 "Neglect of Duty": 5 days No.10A
18/9/1897 "Disobedience of orders": 5 days No.10A
19/2/1898 "Hanging a wet towel in the Flat after being continually warned
not to do so": 7 days No.10A
After service
with HMS "Intrepid" Julin spent the next four years at the Portsmouth
Barracks & other shore based establishments. He married 'Lily' 25/12/1899
& took up residence at 12 Parham Rd., Forton, Gosport. He was promoted
Corporal 5/4/1900.
In March 1904 he embarked aboard HMS "Hercules" for five months,
returning to the Portsmouth Barracks in early October 1904 & was promoted
Sergeant 11/10/1904. Then in late March 1905 Sgt. Julin joined HMS "Good
Hope" for the first of his two terms aboard. The Postcard below was written
aboard the "Good Hope" 8th August 1905:-
This Postcard
depicts HMS "Good Hope" & was addressed to his daughter, Miss
Eileen Julian, 12 Parham Rd., Forton, Gosport, but written to his wife:-
"Dear Lil, Just received letter glad to hear from you. We go to Spithead
tomorrow. Fireworks last night was lovely. Should have liked you to have seen
them. Might be ashore tomorrow, got the hump of laying here with no leave.
This Postcard for Daddy's Pet. Love to all Tom xxxxxx."
It will be noted that his surname is spelt "Julian". This is rather odd/confusing, as all his enlistment papers, signature etc. all read "Julin", excepting his ADM/159 service sheet, which has been corrected to "Julin".
It was whilst aboard the "Good Hope" & nearing completion of his 12 year term of engagement, that he was 'Re-engaged' 31/8/1905 to complete time for pension (21 years). He served aboard HMS "Good Hope" 28/3/1905-16/7/1907, going to the USA in April 1907, as is evident from the other postcard kept with his effects:-
This PC was sent from Hampton Roads 30/4/1907, postmarked 4/5/1907 with a US two cent stamp & depicts the "British Cruisers visiting America April 1907" with four small views of HMS "Good Hope", "Hampshire", "Roxburgh" & "Argyll", addressed to Mrs T.F. Julian, 12 Parham Rd., Forton, Gosport: "Dearest Lil, Have just got your letter dated 7th April so it hasn't been long coming as it. Glad to hear that you are all well. Am writing to-morrow. Leaving here next Sunday for Bermuda. Shall stay there 3 weeks. Yours ever Tom xxxxxxxx."
Again it
will be noted that he addressed this card Mrs. T.F. Julian. It is rather
odd that his wife should have this different spelling of his name.
In July 1907 Sgt. Julin returned to the Portsmouth Barracks. He received his RN Long Service medal there 1/11/1908 having completed 15 years service & being in possession of three Good Conduct Badges. He remained in the UK, at the Portsmouth Barracks or in RN Training establishments, for the next six years. He was employed as "Pioneer Sgt." (Portsmouth Div.) 4/3/08-21/1/10 & Sgts. Mess Steward (Portsmouth Div.) 1/2/10-31/5/12. Then in November 1913 he returned to HMS "Good Hope" for his last year of life & service. He was promoted Colour Sergeant 13/1/1914, which made him the senior R.M.L.I. N.C.O. aboard the "Good Hope".
The "Good Hope" went into action at the "Battle of Coronel" 1st November 1914 & was sunk with all hands. Clr.Sgt. Julin is listed on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial (those lost or buried at sea).
Clr.Sgt. Julin's Bronze Memorial Plaque, medals & photo signed "your Tom" (reverse marked "J.W. Cleary, 89 King St., Kingston, Jamaica").
The naming details of Julin's medals. Note the 1914-15 Star is impressed "Julia".
OBSERVATIONS:-
(1) Julin's wife or daughter did not return details to the CWGC for entry in the Portsmouth Naval Memorial Register & no details of his family are given therein.
(2) His Wife, Lily, was living at 12 Parham Rd., Forton, Gosport, until at least 1907. She later resided at: 8 Albert St., Forton, ; 4 Kings Rd., Gosport, & finally (20/12/16): 43 St.Marks Terrace, Kilmarsham.