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Abstract

This paper conveys the relationship that has endured between the Welsh and the Royal Navy despite a lack of reference in naval scholarship. For that is an oversight dating back to the Act of Union, yet the experiences of the constituent nations have been far from homogenous in that time. Nevertheless, such neglect is countered here through the evaluation of lesser-known connections between Wales and the Royal Navy to demonstrate that their contributions were not insignificant. Consequently, neither history is complete without joint consideration.

By analysing primary sources pertaining to the themes of supply, support, and service, the paper shows how nationhood affected a sailor's experience using social and cultural methodologies. Interactions between Welsh communities, the Navy and the Admiralty are also explored to identify the nuances that transpired. A re-evaluation of disparate secondary sources provides wider context whilst serving as further support for the inferences made. The utility of newspaper articles within naval history is also evidenced owing to their generous incorporation into the narrative. In turn, the dissertation reveals how Welsh-sourced material fuelled the fleet and shaped its projection of seapower. Similarly, it proves that the communities adopted 'England's Navy' as their own through their partaking in service and commemoration. It also evidences how the Admiralty came to value Welshness by the turn of the twentieth century. Therefore, the paper not only broadens the available scholarship on naval and Welsh history but also motivates future explorations that diverge from more dominant lines of enquiry.

Course: Naval History - MA - C2457P

Date Deposited: 2024-10-23

URI/permalink: https://library.port.ac.uk/dissert/dis14477.html