Use this guide for advice on how to find records of pensions paid to warrant and commissioned officers in the Royal Navy. The records go back as far as the 16th century and the most recent are from the 1980s.
Though very varied, generally awkward to find and not always very detailed, pension records can nevertheless sometimes provide key details about an officer’s life and career. Details recorded varies considerably between record types and even within the same record type there can be variation. Most only record the payment, name and rank but you can potentially find out from pension records:
2. Where and how to start
Very few of these records can be viewed online and to see them or even to simply search for them you may need to visit The National Archives at Kew. However, you can usually at least make a start online by searching for document references and descriptions in our catalogue. If you find references you can pay for copies of the records to be sent to you but you will not be able to view the records beforehand unless you visit us.
2.1 Search for a certificate of service where pension issued before 1894
When an officer applied for a commission, warrant or pension, the Navy Pay Office would issue a certificate to prove his qualifying service. These were the only official evidence of a Navy career until service registers were introduced in the mid 19th century.
The National Archives holds collections of the certificates issued to the requesting departments and also the Navy Pay Office’s entry books showing that certificates had been issued. The certificates give rank, ships served on and length of time in each, but they only record service up to the date they were issued. Sometimes the departments in receipt of the certificates made further notes on them.
See our other guide to records of Royal Navy commissioned and warrant officers for advice on searching for certificates of service online.
2.2 Search for document references in our online catalogue using the links in this guide
To view original records at The National Archives you must know their document references. To locate document references you must use our catalogue but rather than search across the tens of millions of records which a basic catalogue search provides, you can target specific series of Admiralty records to narrow your search significantly. All document references consist of a department code (the code for the Admiralty department is ADM), a series number and a piece number (each piece is a single file or bundle of files). The series and piece numbers are separated by a forward slash – for example ADM 23/32.
The majority of Royal Navy pension record series are listed in the following sections of this guide. Click on the series links in any section (for example, ADM 7) and follow the advice on how that series can be searched. Many of these records are not searchable by the name of an officer in our catalogue. You will sometimes have to search by year only and in these cases, even if you locate a document reference for the year/s you are interested in, you will have no way of knowing whether your officer appears in the record until you see the record itself.
You can also try browsing an entire series in reference order. You can do this by clicking on the series links and then clicking on ‘reference’ near the top of the page.
2.3 Consult our printed publications on Royal Navy records
For a more detailed explanation of the content and arrangement of these records we recommend the following publications:
- B Pappalardo, Tracing Your Naval Ancestors (PRO, 2002)
- NAM Rogers, Naval Records for Genealogists (PRO, 1998)
3. Government bodies responsible for paying Naval pensions
The arrangement of Royal Navy pension records is complicated by the number of government bodies that have had responsibility for administering pensions at different times. While all of these bodies were overseen by the Admiralty, each office created its own records and these are now spread across a wide range of different record series. The different bodies have been:
- The Navy Pay Office/Admiralty
- The Royal Greenwich Hospital
- The charity for the payment of pensions to widows of sea officers
- The Compassionate Fund/List (from 1885)
- The Chatham Chest, later the Greenwich Chest (warrant officers only)
4. Records organised by rank and role
If you know the rank of an officer, you can target one of the specific documents listed in this section.
| Canteen managers |
|---|
| 1914-1928 |
PMG 56 |
| Chaplains |
|---|
| 1653-1657 |
ADM 82/1-2 |
1830-1878 |
ADM 23/29, ADM 23/45-46, ADM 23/55, ADM 23/106-107 |
| 1836-1870 |
PMG 16/2-5, PMG 16/7 |
1866-1909 |
ADM 6/446 |
| 1871-1932 |
ADM 23/84, ADM 23/89, ADM 23/161-164, ADM 23/144-145, ADM 23/168, ADM 23/206-207 |
1882-1919 |
PMG 20/6, PMG 20/8, PMG 20/10, PMG 20/12, PMG 20/17, PMG 20/22-23 |
| 1916-1920 |
PMG 43/1 |
1916-1920 |
PMG 44/8-9 |
| 1917-1919 |
PMG 42/13-14 |
|
|
| Commanders |
|---|
| 1673-1781 |
ADM 18/53 |
1809-1851 |
ADM 22/239, ADM 22/253, ADM 22/22 |
| 1809-1836 |
ADM 6/323, ADM 6/222 |
1836-1920 |
PMG 16/1, PMG 16/3, PMG 16/8 |
| 1837-1921 |
PMG 18 |
1857-1900 |
ADM 23/76-77, ADM 23/32, ADM 23/42, ADM 23/95, ADM 23/24, ADM 23/89 |
| 1916-1931 |
ADM 23/206-207, ADM 23/144 |
1917-1919 |
PMG 42/13-14 |
| Flag officers |
|---|
| 1673-1781 |
ADM 18/53 |
1809-1836 |
ADM 6/323, ADM 6/222 |
| 1809-1851 |
ADM 22/239, ADM 22/253, ADM 22/22 |
1836-1920 |
PMG 16/1, PMG 16/3, PMG 16/8 |
| 1837-1921 |
PMG 18 |
1837-1837 |
ADM 23/23 |
| 1857-1900 |
ADM 23/76-77, ADM 23/32, ADM 23/42, ADM 23/95, ADM 23/24, ADM 23/89 |
1916-1931 |
ADM 23/206-207, ADM 23/144 |
| 1917-1919 |
PMG 42/13-14 |
|
|
| Lieutenants |
|---|
| 1673-1781 |
ADM 18/53 |
1689-1785 |
ADM 7/809 |
| 1781-1821 |
ADM 22/1, ADM 22/16 |
1809-1836 |
ADM 6/323, ADM 6/222 |
| 1809-1851 |
ADM 22/239, ADM 22/253, ADM 22/22 |
1836-1920 |
PMG 16/1, PMG 16/3, PMG 16/8 |
| 1837-1921 |
PMG 18 |
1857-1900 |
ADM 23/89, ADM 23/76-77, ADM 23/32, ADM 23/42, ADM 23/95, |
| 1916-1931 |
ADM 23/206-207, ADM 23/144 |
1917-1919 |
PMG 42/13-14 |
5. Superannuation (retirement) pensions
Superannuation, or retirement pensions, became available to different ranks at various points in the Navy’s history, but there was no general retirement pension for officers until 1836. A summary of when superannuation was introduced to different ranks is shown below:
- 1666 yard officers and some captains
- 1672 some of the most senior warrant officers
- 1737 most senior lieutenants
- 1747 yellow admirals
- 1786 captains
- 1836 all officers
Key series for records of superannuation are:
| Description of records |
Dates |
Catalogue references |
Tips for searching our catalogue |
|---|
| Miscellaneous files from the Admiralty |
1563-1956 |
ADM 7 |
Search using keyword ‘pension’ |
| Office of bills and accounts: bill books |
1642-1831 |
ADM 18 |
Search by date |
| Registers of salaries and pensions |
1734-1934 |
ADM 22 |
Search by date and keyword ‘pension’ |
| Registers of pensions and allowances |
1830-1934 |
ADM 23 |
Search using keyword ‘pension’ |
| Miscellaneous services, wounds, widows and pensions |
1836-1920 |
PMG 16 |
Browse |
6. Full and half pay pensions
Full pay records show payments made to officers who were actively employed. They give the name and dates of employment and can be used to compile a record of an officer’s career.
Half pay was a retainer paid to officers who were no longer serving. These records are mainly lists of names and the money paid but they sometimes include addresses and other information. Half pay was abolished in 1938.
| Description of records |
Dates |
Catalogue reference |
Tips for searching our catalogue |
|---|
| Service records, registers, returns and certificates |
1673-1960 |
ADM 6 |
Search with keywords ‘half pay’ |
| Officers’ half pay registers |
1693-1924 |
ADM 25 |
Search by date |
| Registers of pensions and allowances |
1830-1934 |
ADM 23 |
Search using keywords ‘half pay’ |
| Half pay and retired pay Naval officers |
1836-1920 |
PMG 15 |
Browse or search by date |
| Salaried officers’ civil pensions |
1836-1929 |
PMG 24 |
Search by date |
7. Royal Greenwich hospital pensions
‘Out-pensions’ were paid by the Royal Greenwich hospital to those who had served in the Navy or Marines. The pensions were small but recipients were allowed to earn extra money by working.
The Royal Greenwich hospital admitted a fixed number of former servicemen to live as ‘in-pensioners’ of the hospital, many of whom were still young men in full employment.
Both in and out-pensioners could re-enter the Navy. Their pensions would stop while they served, but would start again when they were discharged.
To find records relating to the in and out pensions from the Royal Greenwich hospital, search or browse the following record series in our catalogue:
| Description of records |
Dates |
Catalogue reference |
Tips for searching our catalogue |
|---|
| Royal Greenwich hospital out-pensions pay books and miscellaneous registers |
1704-1981 |
ADM 73 |
Search by date |
| Registers of salaries and pensions |
1734-1934 |
ADM 22 |
Search by keywords ‘gunner’, ‘carpenter’, ‘engineer’, ‘boatswain’ or search by date |
| Registers of pensions and allowances |
1830-1934 |
ADM 23 |
Search by date |
| Miscellaneous services, wounds, widows and pensions |
1836-1920 |
PMG 16 |
Browse |
| Greenwich out-pensions and pensions & gratuities to seamen and marines. Also masters out-pensions |
1846-1921 |
PMG 71 |
Browse |
| Greenwich hospital pensions and civil superannuation allowances |
1866-1928 |
PMG 70 |
Browse |
| Royal Greenwich hospital pensions to Naval marine officers |
1871-1961 |
ADM 165 |
Browse |
8. Wounds and disability pensions
Wounds and disability pensions were paid by the Admiralty to masters and surgeons, and by the Chatham Chest to warrant officers.
The key records relating to these pensions are:
| Description of records |
Dates |
Catalogue reference |
Tips for searching our catalogue |
|---|
| Indexes to pensioners receiving payments |
1695-1797 |
ADM 82/120-123 |
Not applicable |
| Registers of pensions and allowances |
1830-1934 |
ADM 23 |
Search using keyword ‘wounds’ |
| Miscellaneous services, wounds, widows and pensions |
1836-1920 |
PMG 16 |
Browse |
| Disability pay |
1917-1920 |
PMG 42 |
Browse |
9. Widows’ pensions
In 1732 the ‘Charity for the payment of pensions to the widows of sea officers’ was established. It paid pensions to the poor widows of all sea officers regardless of how or when they died, but not to those who were left comfortably off.
The charity received money from parliamentary grants and from a compulsory deduction of three pence in the pound from officers’ wages. It was administered by trustees but in reality it was more an official pension fund than a private charity.
Between 1830 and 1864 widows of warrant officers lost their entitlement to a widows’ pension. This change applied to widows of warrant officers appointed in 1830 or afterwards, and not to the widows of men killed in service. In 1864 the entitlement to a pension was reinstated.
In 1836 the Admiralty took over responsibility for widows’ pensions and made them payable regardless of the widows’ income.
From 1848, widows of engineers became eligible for pensions.
For information relating to pensions to widows and other relatives, the following records series will be useful and can be searched in our catalogue by date, name or keywords:
| Description of records |
Dates |
Catalogue reference |
Tips for searching our catalogue |
|---|
| Chatham Chest pay books |
1617-1807 |
ADM 82 |
Search by date or browse |
| Papers of the commission of the charity for relief of officers’ widows |
1673-1960 |
ADM 6 |
Search by name |
| Registers of salaries and pensions, pay books of widows’ pensions |
1734-1934 |
ADM 22 |
Search by date |
| Marriage certificates of officers |
1806-1861 |
ADM 13/70 |
Search by name |
| Registers of pensions and allowances |
1830-1934 |
ADM 23 |
Search with keywords ‘widow’ and/or ‘relative’ |
| Miscellaneous services, wounds, widows and pensions |
1836-1920 |
PMG 16 |
Search with keyword ‘widow’ and/or ‘relative’ |
| Widows of Naval officers’ pensions |
1836-1929 |
PMG 19 |
Search by date (arranged alphabetically) |
You can browse the following series in our catalogue to identify pension records relating to widows and other relatives:
| Description of records |
Dates |
Catalogue reference |
Tips for searching our catalogue |
|---|
| Bill books |
1673-1826 |
ADM 18/53-154 |
Browse |
| Salary and pension books |
1694-1832 |
ADM 7/809-822 |
Browse |
| Marriage certificates |
1866-1902 |
ADM 13/186-192 |
Browse |
| Pensions and allowances to widows and relatives of officers, pilots and others killed on duty |
1870-1919 |
PMG 20 |
Browse |
| Pensions to relatives of deceased officers |
1916-1920 |
PMG 44 |
Browse |
| Widows’ pensions |
1917-1919 |
PMG 45 |
Browse |
The following records might also be of interest:
| Description of records |
Dates |
Catalogue reference |
|---|
| Documents relating to Royal Marines’ widows’ pensions |
1712-1831 |
ADM 96/523 |
| Sworn statements relating to applications to charity for relief of sea officers’ widows |
1801-1818 |
ADM 30/57 |
| Widows’ pensions |
1831-1840 |
ADM 7/615 |
10. Royal bounty and compassionate fund
10.1 Royal bounty 1675-1822
The royal bounty was a lump sum of one year’s wages which was paid to widows, dependent children or mothers (aged over 50) of officers killed in action. When relatives applied for a payment they often submitted marriage and death certificates as well as documents to prove their age, relationship or poor financial situation.
Pay lists of the royal bounty give the name, address and relation of the payee, the name, rank and ship of the dead man, and the sum paid.
| Description of records |
Dates |
Catalogue reference |
|---|
| Papers submitted to the Royal Bounty |
1675-1822 |
ADM 106/3023-3028 |
| Pay lists of the Royal Bounty |
1739-1787 |
ADM 106/3018-3020 |
10.2 Compassionate fund
The compassionate fund (later the compassionate list) was voted by Parliament and administered by the Admiralty. From 1809 it paid grants and pensions to the orphans or other dependents of officers killed in action. Warrant officers’ dependents became eligible for the compassionate list from 1885.
Search or browse through the following record series in our catalogue for records relating to the compassionate fund and compassionate list:
| Description of records |
Dates |
Catalogue reference |
Search tips |
|---|
| Registers of pensions and allowances |
1830-1934 |
ADM 23 |
Search using keyword ‘compassionate’ |
| Service records, registers, returns and certificates |
1673-1960 |
ADM 6 |
Search by name |
| Naval establishment compassionate list |
1837-1921 |
PMG 18 |
Browse |
| Compassionate fund |
1810-1836 |
ADM 22/239-253 |
Browse |
| Letters to compassionate fund |
1809-1845 |
ADM 2/1085 |
Not applicable |
11. Miscellaneous pension records
From 1871 some Greenwich hospital pensions (including pensions paid from special funds like Travers, Popeley and Canada) were paid to deserving warrant officers.
From 1837 good service pensions were paid to deserving flag officers and captains, and later to civil officers of equivalent rank. They could be paid even if the officer was receiving full or half pay, but not once he was promoted.
| Description of records |
Dates |
Catalogue reference |
Search tips |
|---|
| Travers estate pensions |
1866-1928 |
PMG 70 |
Browse or search by date |
| Victoria Cross and conspicuous bravery medal pensions |
1857-1859 |
PMG 16/10 |
Not applicable |
| Accountant General’s department: officers and civilians’ effects papers |
1830-1860 |
ADM 45 |
Search by name, online records |
| Alphabetical register of pensions paid to French pilots |
1802-1809 |
ADM 30/40 |
Not applicable |
| Medical officers on retired list |
1805-1875 |
ADM 104/66 |
Not applicable |
| Superannuation lists |
1809-1814 |
ADM 106/3009 |
Not applicable |
| Officers in Holy Orders |
1836-1840 |
PMG 15/4, PMG 15/8 |
Not applicable |
