Papers of Commander John Williams Damer-Powell RNR
The collection consists of four series comprised of papers relating to John Williams Damer-Powell (1887-1958) and his naval career from apprenticeship to Commander in the Royal Navy Reserve; his personal letters and journals; visual material including press cuttings, photographs, and other illustrated material of ships; and printed publications of personal interest.
Related materials: MSS/84/111. Further naval service records of John Williams Damer-Powell are held at The National Archives under references ADM 340/37/15, ADM 340/112/25 and ADM 240/60/32. Family tree of John Williams Damer-Powell is held at the Bristol Archives under reference 36870/9.
Archivist's Note:
Catalogue compiled by Olive Vergel de Dios, RMG Volunteer, 11/09/2025, in accordance with ISAD(G): General International Standard Archival Description, 2000.
Administrative / biographical background
Commander John Williams Damer-Powell was born on 26 May 1887 in Bristol, United Kingdom. He began as an apprentice in 1904 on the ship DYNOMENE and soon expanded his knowledge of seagoing through his journaling of lived experiences at sea and his studies on navigation, nautical history, and practical sailing skills. He was appointed as a Sub Lieutenant in the Royal Naval Reserve in 1919 and received his official certificate of competency in 1920 as Master of a foreign-going ship in the merchant service. He then rose to become a Lieutenant Commander and retired as Commander in the Royal Naval Reserve in 1930. During his naval career, he contributed his service during signficant historical events, including the 1926 General Strike in London and both the First World War and the Second World War. In the First World War, he commanded a division of minesweepers in the North Sea and the White Sea and supported home efforts during the Battle of Dunkirk in the Second World War. He also wrote for "The Mariner's Mirror" and was the author of "Bristol Privateers and Ships of War". He died in July 1958.
Related materials: MSS/84/111. Further naval service records of John Williams Damer-Powell are held at The National Archives under references ADM 340/37/15, ADM 340/112/25 and ADM 240/60/32. Family tree of John Williams Damer-Powell is held at the Bristol Archives under reference 36870/9.
Archivist's Note:
Catalogue compiled by Olive Vergel de Dios, RMG Volunteer, 11/09/2025, in accordance with ISAD(G): General International Standard Archival Description, 2000.
Administrative / biographical background
Commander John Williams Damer-Powell was born on 26 May 1887 in Bristol, United Kingdom. He began as an apprentice in 1904 on the ship DYNOMENE and soon expanded his knowledge of seagoing through his journaling of lived experiences at sea and his studies on navigation, nautical history, and practical sailing skills. He was appointed as a Sub Lieutenant in the Royal Naval Reserve in 1919 and received his official certificate of competency in 1920 as Master of a foreign-going ship in the merchant service. He then rose to become a Lieutenant Commander and retired as Commander in the Royal Naval Reserve in 1930. During his naval career, he contributed his service during signficant historical events, including the 1926 General Strike in London and both the First World War and the Second World War. In the First World War, he commanded a division of minesweepers in the North Sea and the White Sea and supported home efforts during the Battle of Dunkirk in the Second World War. He also wrote for "The Mariner's Mirror" and was the author of "Bristol Privateers and Ships of War". He died in July 1958.
Record details
| Item reference: | JWDP |
|---|---|
| Catalogue section: | Personal collections |
| Level: | COLLECTION |
| Extent: | 3 boxes |
| Date made: | 1905-1950 |
| Creator: | Damer-Powell, John Williams |
| Credit: | National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London |