Ratings Pensions - Greenwich Hospital Pensions - Entrance to Greenwich Hospital School

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Navy List for June 1879

Greenwich Hospital Pensions


These Pensions are the "Age" and Special Pensions.

They are given entirely at the discretion of the Admiralty, and are not granted to any person whose character whilst in or after leaving the Navy has not been good.

They are given to Naval Pensioners only (i.e., to Seamen, Marines, Coast Guard Naval Pensioners, Yard Craftsmen, and Riggers of Dockyard), but Civil Pensioners with over 10 years' service in the Navy, and in certain other cases, are eligible for the Special Pensions.

Age Pensions are given only to Life Pensioners.

A Naval Pensioner is eligible for the Age Pension of 5d. a day on attaining the age of 55, if he has been in receipt of his pension for 5 years; and for the increase of such age pension of 9d. a day at the age of 65, if lie has been in receipt of his Naval Pension for 10 years.

The number of Pensions in force at any one time is not to exceed 7,500; the vacancies to be filled up quarterly by selection.

The Age Pension is not granted if it would with other Pensions exceed 2s. 6d. a day, and only so much of it is allowed as will make up that sum.

These regulations are not to affect any Pensioner in receipt of an Age Pension in July 1878, or any Pensioner who, being already in receipt of 5d, a day, will be eligible for the additional 4d. a day on attaining the age of 65; or any Pensioner who Joined the Seaman Pensioner Reserve Force prior to the issue of these regulations, and who is thereby entitled under certain conditions, to the Greenwich Hospital Age Pension 5d. a, day at the age of 50.

The Deferred Pension of Marines gives no claim to the Age Pension.


Special Pensions are given, at the discretion of and under regulations framed by the Admiralty, to men unable to contribute materially to their own support and vary in amount and duration according to each man's degree of disability, and the other circumstances of his case; the amount of the fund from which these Pensions given is limited to �20,000 a year.

They are tenable in addition to Naval and Age Pensions subject, however, to the limits expressed in; following List :

Class I. Naval Pensioners with Life Pensions:

If unable to maintain themselves Pension (including Age as well as Naval Pension) made up to from 1s. to 1s. 3d. a day, and in some very special cases to 1s. 6d. a day.

Class II. Men who have 15 years' service, served continuously or with short intervals, or 10 years' service counting for Pension, provided they were invalided out of the service:

  If in receipt of Temporary Naval Pension If not in receipt of Naval Pension.
If unable to maintain themselves Pension made up to from 1s. to 1s. 3d. a day. Pension awarded of from 9d. to 1s. a day.
If able to contribute in a small degree to their own support . Nil. Pension awarded 3d. to 6d., under 14 years' service 6d. to 9d. over do.

Classes III. and IV. Men who have not less than 7 years service counting towards pension, and who have been within the last 5 years, discharged or invalided on account of disease or wounds contracted or received in the service and whose disability is clearly the result of such disease or wounds.

Men with less than 7 years' service counting towards pension who have been discharged or invalided on account of disease or wounds clearly attributable to the service, and whose present disability is clearly the result of such disease or wounds:

  If in receipt of Temporary Pensions. If not in receipt of Naval Pensions.
When unable to maintain themselves Pension made up to from 1s. to 1s. 3d. Pension awarded from 6d. to 1s.
If able to contribute in a small degree to their own support Nil. Pension awarded from 3d. to 6d.

Class V. Special cases.

Men with less than 10 years' service who took part (i.e., were under fire) in any remarkable action for which a. medal or clasp was awarded ; or in the Franklin Search Expedition; or who were injured on duty, or who were taken prisoners of war:

If unable to maintain themselves Pension awarded of 1s. a day
If able to contribute in a small degree to their own support. Pension awarded of 6d to 9d a day.

Men ruptured on duty, and suffering from the effects of such rupture:

If unable to maintain themselves 6d. to 9d.
If able to contribute in a small degree to their own support. 6d. a day

Men who contributed to the funds of Greenwich Hospital before 1 January 1830:

Under 5 years' contribution 6d. a day for one year
Over 5 years' contribution 6d. a day for Life

All persons who contributed while in the Navy to funds of Greenwich Hospital before 1 January, 1830 for 5 years and upwards, are eligible for pensions of �3. 8s year, provided they are not in receipt of other pensions from Greenwich hospital.

Except under very special circumstances the minimum pension will be awarded in every case.


Men discharged for syphilis, or whose general character has been bad or indifferent, or who leave forfeited vice by R. against their names within the last 10 years of their time, are ineligible for special pensions, as are men in workhouse's, unless removed by their friends.


Men eligible for the benefits of Greenwich Hospital are admitted to Naval Hospitals when their cases require treatment, or may be granted a special allowance (not to exceed, however, including all other pensions, 1s. 6d. a day) in lieu of treatment, but permanent admission into a hospital is not allowed.

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