I am trying to trace a grand uncle, William Fulcher who was born on the 11th January 1888 at Somers Town, Middlesex.

In the 1901 census he is shown as residing on the Training Vessel Shaftesbury at Grays, Essex, with the entry “under detention until 16 years of age. I can find no trace of him beyond 1901.

I believe he may have joined the navy and family information suggests that he was killed during WW1.

Can anyone help with tracing William, his navy service, why he was sent to TV Shaftesbury and where I can find the records for the TV Shaftesbury?