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U.S. Rosters of World War II Dead, 1939-1945; . card and his grey suit jacket. Hello, I have just started to look for my deceased fathers merchant navy records. At 8 am on December 7, the Japanese submarine I-26 torpedoed SS Cynthia Olson, manned by mariners and transporting lumber for the Army from Tacoma, Washington to Honolulu.All aboard perished, making these merchant mariners among the earliest American casualties of the war. the-raf-in-camera-1939-1945 1/11 Downloaded from uniport.edu.ng on March 2, 2023 by guest . In themerchant navy the term officer can refer to a master, mate, engineer, fishing boat skipper, second hand or cook. If you don't have an account please register. Description. Chapter one is called The Idea of the World because it reflects the meaning of the efforts of the ancient's philosophers-geographers to know the shape and size of the Earth, discover its position in space, and find out what is around them. These entries record a single voyage during which the seaman was engaged on a particular ship. "The World's largest shipping company". The story was hand written and falling apart but I have typed it up for preservation. With all of Britains oil arriving by sea, half of her food, and most of her raw materials more than a million tonnes per week, in total- the smooth functioning of the merchant fleet was integral to the nations survival. Gunner) fell from the gun platform on A deck to B deck, receiving head injuries. The cards are of different colours depending on the type of qualification: Consult registers and renewals of certificates of competency ofmasters andmates in BT 317; masters, mates and engineers in BT 318; just engineersin BT 320 (1913-1935) (in process of transfer from National Maritime Museum under references RSS/ENG/5-6); and fishing officers in BT 396. "On the 16th July 1940, I was on 4-8 watch when according to the 8-12 watch a ship flying Yugoslav colours had opened fire from the port quarter, killing the radio operator and setting fire to the bridge. recording and preserving recollections, documents, photographs and small items. These were to be my grandfather's final words on earth. It may help to know the number of a ship as ships are sometimes referred to in the records by their number rather then their name. In the eleven months on the ship Dad had spent three months in Liverpool. Research guidance for records relating to World War 2. This camp bordered on primitive in every sense of the word. ","copyright":"INF13-213 (52)","url":"https://images.prismic.io/findmypast-titan/9794e89f-46cb-4342-8b53-47272a1b0f4b_inf13-213-52-world-war-ii-poster-the-life-line-is-firm-thanks-to-the-merchant-navy.jpg?auto=compress,format"},"caption":"The Life-line Is Firm Thanks To The Merchant Navy Image: INF13-213 (52)"}},{"__typename":"PrismicArticlePage1939BodySliceText","type":"slice-text","primary":{"__typename":"PrismicArticlePage1939BodySliceTextPrimary","content":[{"type":"paragraph","text":"Despite sharing the word Navy in their titles, the difference between the Royal and Merchant Navies was that sailors in the latter were classed as civilians. Captain Elliott concluded that Anselm was abandoned without panic or unnecessary confusion. Nortraship. Wafer it states "he failed to re-join ship" and for M. Towers it reads "died as result of accident". George James William "Dick" Durling BEM. After a change of orders she eventually left the Clyde with escorts on 30th June. They do not contain details of any passengers or crew. Search 5: service details of Merchant Navy cooks 1913-1956 This is a search in record series BT 319. An incomplete set of captains registers is available on microfilm in The National Archives reading rooms. The minimum qualifying period was one day. Like this page to receive our updates. Due to the multifaceted nature of the Merchant Marine, we are very grateful to obtain this collection in order to provide clarity to their service," said Theresa Fitzgerald, Along with this new series have come some new experiences. The following codes may be found on the record: Markings found on the record may include: The letter R over a code can signify that an application for that medal was reviewed and refused. He was torpedoed and sunk twice but fortunately rescued on both occasions. You can also search: the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website. It does not, however, include: You may be searching for a ship using a former name. research. If the information here has been helpful or you have enjoyed reaching the stories please conside making a donation, no matter how small, would be much appreciated, annually we need to raise enough funds to pay for our web hosting or this site will vanish from the web. Two days later the Coroner held an inquest into Grandad's death and the verdict was given as unascertainable. Most of the casualties were considered to have been killed by the explosion and subsequent flooding in No. As the outbreak of World War II edged closer in 1939, the British merchant fleet remained the largest in the world, employing some 200,000 men and women. There were no clasps awarded with the Italy Star. On the 23rd November the convoy was ordered to split into slow and fast convoys. Military ; Card Catalog ; Member Search ; DNA. (M.N. Catalogue description Registry of Shipping and Seamen: War of 1939-1945; Combined Office Merchant Navy Operations, Seamen's Pouches Search within or browse this series to find specific. From 1835, details of seafarers were recorded in registers by the Register Office for Merchant Seamen, later the Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen, using information from the crew lists. Dad signed off the ship on 8th May. Image: Mary Evans/Pharcide"}},{"__typename":"PrismicArticlePage1939BodySliceText","type":"slice-text","primary":{"__typename":"PrismicArticlePage1939BodySliceTextPrimary","content":[{"type":"paragraph","text":"Particular emphasis was put on implementing the convoy system, by which warships would customarily escort groups of merchant ships to deter attacks from German U-boats. If you are enjoying the site, please consider making a donation, however small SA. Our first night there we had doors for beds. This caused miserable conditions throughout the overcrowded and claustrophobic troopdecks. What are these records? In some cases, not all the cards relating to a vessel have been amended to reflect the latest name-change. The registers survive at TNA in BT 120, BT 112, BT 113, BT 114, BT 116 and BT 119. It was the Knights of Columbus Hostel on Harvey Road which was frequently used by the servicemen. Once you have obtained a certificate number from the index in BT 127, consult the table below for the respective record series reference: Certificate numbers with a letter(s) prefix NWS were issued in the colonies. *Estimated delivery dates - opens in a new window or tab include seller's handling time, origin ZIP Code, destination ZIP Code and time of acceptance and will depend on shipping service selected and receipt of cleared payment. These records are digitised cards recording the movements of British and Allied merchant ships during the Second World War. Also awarded, with no minimum service requirement, if service was terminated by death, disability due to service or capture as a prisoner-of-war. These records are digitised cards recording the movements of British and Allied merchant ships during the Second World War. If you are ordering more than one record for seamen with similar names, you should check if their records are on the same page. We do not provide copies of online records please download to view, Visit us in Kew to see original documents or view online records for free, Consider paying for When they reached Aden on 15th August the convoy was disbanded. After five days of normal transportation (i.e., in cattle trucks), we arrived at Bremervorde in northwestern Germany near Bremen, and were then marched several miles to Stalag X-B in Sandbostel, where we were greeted by the stink of death. Furthermore, the MID does not appear on the Order of Wearing Australian Honours and Awards approved from time . James Wafer S.S. Samaria (d.14th May 1943) James Wafer started service as an Able Seaman during World War 1 and had survived active service as a teenage merchant man on a ship called Romney. British seamen who served under the T124X agreement; British seamen who served under the T124T agreement; Non-British seamen who served under the T124X agreement. - Merchant Navy during the Second World War -. 3rd Radio Off. duty by S. Pentith 3rd officer. . Using testimony from new witnesses and hitherto undisclosed public records, he seeks to explain why they were reported missing: believed killed. (BSLOC_2013_11_114) Everett Collection Mary Evans. MERCHANT NAVY SEAMAN'S SEA SERVICE RECORDS Sea Service Records . Another brother Thomas was in the British Army. research. The first time a foreign team have ever beaten them! Edit Search New Search. A total of 254 officers and men lost their lives in the sinking of Anselm, of which 176 were RAF, 70 from other services and 4 crew. The two aircraft carriers escorting the convoy lost aircraft due to crash landings, considered by Admiral Somerville to be due to lack of training and experience of deck landing to a regrettable degree. Divided first by country and then by shipping company, the book includes the ships of such great Photographs CAPTAIN CHARLES FRYATT v3.0, except where otherwise stated, guide on Merchant seamens medals and honours, World War Two Medals issued to Merchant Seamen, records of merchant seamen serving after 1917, Abbreviations in merchant seamens records, Friends of The National Read My Ancestor was a Merchant Seaman by Christopher and Michael Watts (Society of Genealogists, 2002) this title is also available in our shop. This was simply a record of the. For ability and general conduct both men are reported as very good. Anyone who qualified for both the France & Germany Star and the Atlantic Star would be awarded the first Star earned, with a Clasp. Gunner and T. Moulton Sectionman. To find out about a seamans entitlement, contact the Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen. For quick pointersTuesday to Saturday ). Whilst it is only short, it gives a vivid account of life on board ship as a RA gunner during WW2. The date commemorates the sinking of the first British merchant ship in 1939, just hours after Britain declared war on Germany. ConsultBT 139for certificates of competency from 1861-1921, BT 142forcertificates of service from 1862-1921 andBT 140for certificates of service of engineers examined in the colonies from 1870-1921 (index in BT 141). The Guildhall Library does not hold crew lists. Few if any of the troops had ever crossed the English Channel let alone been exposed to the rigours of the North Atlantic. You need to sign in to tag. Information about official records for the Merchant Navy (UK) can be found at the National Maritime Museum (UK) Details about the role of the Australian Merchant Navy and the role Australian merchant ships played in World War II can be found at Merchant Ships of Australia in World War 2. Some useful printed works include: The Roll of Honour of the Merchant Navy and Fishing Fleets 1939-1945, 3 vols (London: Ministry of . A single oak leaf emblem attached to the War Medal ribbon denotes a Mention-in-Despatches; the silver oak leaf, a Kings Commendation for Brave Conduct. At Halifax she embarked American troops to Reykjavik in Iceland and arrived back on 17th October a total journey time of three months. The two Ellerman ships City of Lincoln and City of Edinburgh had to return to Liverpool and the Clyde because cargo had shifted. For Matty Towers the three witness statements into his death are very contradictory. At 05.55 all the boats but one had cleared the ship, by which time the foredeck was completely submerged and the water almost up to the level of the promenade deck. If you provide contact details, we will be in touch about your request within 10 working days. If you provide contact details, we will be in touch about your request within 10 working days. The certificate number obtained from the index indicates: Certificate numbers with a letter(s) prefix NWS were issued in the colonies. Art . This information will help us make improvements to the website. Alternatively, search more than 1 million objects from Maurice "Ginger" Archer SS Wendover. We are researching his time in India but know of some stories but not a lot except playing hockey against and Indian Team and winning! Visit the Crew List Index Project (CLIP) website, which has information about merchant seamen on British registered ships from 1861 to 1913. Then, as European-built iron-hulled sailing ships replaced wooden square-riggers, Canadian shipbuilders found it harder to compete. Although the design of this website looks rather old-fashioned, it's still updated and is a good resource for Welsh Merchant Navy records. ","spans":[]},{"type":"paragraph","text":"The struggle for control over the Atlantic shipping routes, which would eventually become known as the Battle of the Atlantic, was one of the longest campaigns of WWII. The passage to Durban took longer than anticipated because the route diverted to sail closer to the African coast and the convoy speed dropped to 6.1/2 knots to enable the RN escorts to rendezvous with a tanker for refuelling at Point Noire. Use our guide Abbreviations in merchant seamens records to interpret the records. The National Archives' catalogue This record (browse from here by hierarchy or by reference) Catalogue description Registry of Shipping and Seamen: War of 1939-1945; Merchant Seamen's Service. The cards are presented in alphabetical order by ship's name. The Wartime Memories Project will give them a good home and ensure that they are used for educational purposes. . They subsequently sailed on convoy WS 17. Consult series BT 128 for details. It supported Britain's Bomber Command from 1943 to 1945, contributing a huge strike force. (6th June 1944 - 8th May 1945). The movement control staff in Durban were receiving signals from London changing the instructions for the destinations of the various troops. the National Archives. photographs, documents or items from the First or Second World War, please do not destroy them. The National Maritime Museum holds the registers (see below). The seamens discharge book numbers are usually listed, and you may find the date and place of birth too. I believe, SS Port Sydney also survived the war so, I am uncertain on which ship Ronnie was serving when torpedoed. Ordinary Seaman Charles Lomax served with the Merchant Navy in WW2. privacy policy, Registry of Shipping and Seamen: War of 1939-1945; Merchant Seamen's Service on Royal Navy Ships. There was no minimum time qualification for a Merchant Seaman. Back to Search Results Veterans History Project Service Summary: War or Conflict: World War, 1939-1945 Branch of Service: Merchant Marine Unit of Service: SS George W. Lively; SS George Sters; SS James Hyram Walker; SS War Bonnet Location of Service: Atlantic; Pacific; Normandy, France; Okinawa Island (Ryukyu Islands); Guam (Mariana Islands) Highest Rank: Active Boatswain 1.30 a.m. Friday 14th of May 1943 Jim Wafer was seen apparently asleep in Seaman Gunners Quarters by Able Seaman Stanley Poole. This section includes over 21.000 Allied Warships and over 11.000 Allied Commanders of WWII, from the US Navy, Royal Navy, Royal Canadian Navy, Royal Australian Navy, The Polish Navy and others. In any case, there might be a legitimate reason why only some cards indicate the latest name, i.e. It sank many submarines, but it also lost a large number of warships. Most of the prisoners, including myself, were sent from Drancy to concentration camps. By war's end 410 merchant ships had been built in Canada. We place some essential cookies on your device to make this website work. The ship Adrastus had to heave-to to secure cargo which had come adrift and didnt catch up with the convoy until three days later. From things he had said prior to his death, the family believe that the story could actually be based on himself and those he served with. The medals were claimed and issued from 1946 to 2002. Search The Gazette for lists of masters and mates who passed officer examinations. (d.13th October 1945), Capt. You may also like to read ourguide on Merchant seamens medals and honours. At 5.00 p.m. on Thursday 13th of May 1943, my grandfather Jim reported for duty on troop ship S.S. Samaria to J. Lowe 2nd officer. For more information on the Arctic Star and advice on how you can still apply for it, see our guide to Merchant seamans medals and honours. Merchant Navy - The port where the merchant mariner signed on as a member of a ship's crew at the commencement or during the war. Another important archive open to the public is theLloyds Marine Collectionat the Guildhall Library which holds the Captains Registers for the period up to 1948, voyage record cards 1927 to 1975 and runs of theLloyds Registers, Lloyds ListsandMercantile Navy Lists. Enter the tag you would like to associate with this record and click 'Add tag'. I was held in Stalag X-B for two years, and I will never forget that smell it lingered constantly. In the top left corner of the record is the ships name. Also some happy times with the Indian Army who were great allies and enjoyed partying English style, as a relief from the war time battles. Many years later he wrote a short fictional story about a Maritime Regiment gunner who brought nothing but bad luck. to help with the costs of keeping the site running. Contents Part Two 11. After four months aboard the raider, we were transferred to a prison ship. The Crew List Index Project (CLIP) offers a searchable index of ships by official number. This number made up around one third of the entire global merchant fleet at the time, with many of the seamen coming from all over the Empire, including India, Hong Kong and West Africa. v3.0, except where otherwise stated, Merchant Navy ships records: movement cards 1939-1945, Friends of The National Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Merchantmen at War Official Story of Merchant Navy 1939 - 1944 at the best online prices at eBay! A little after 1.30 a.m. the last person to speak to Grandad was Able Seaman M. Towers. Generally the qualifying service period for the Pacific Star could only begin after the 1939-1945 Star had been earned by six months service. If there is no entry on a card for the early or later part of the war, check the crew lists and agreements in series BT 99, BT 100, BT 380or BT 381which may hold further details. Awarded for service between 10 June 1940 and 12 May 1943, serving in the Mediterranean. . v3.0, except where otherwise stated, Merchant Navy campaign medal records 1939-1945. are on the same page. In the indexes, names beginning with Mc or Mac are usually found under the letter following that prefix. By 08.20 both escorts were proceeding at 6 knots towing Anselms empty boats, but as speed increased to 13 knots these gradually broke away and were lost. There were no portholes, and ventilation came from the open access hatches which had to be closed at night when the ships were darkened. A merchant seaman had to serve in the Atlantic, home waters, North Russia Convoys or South Atlantic waters. Showing 1-30 of 261 records. Merchant Vessel Files: Also included among the Coast Guard records is a series of Merchant Vessel Information Files, 1939 - 1952, which is arranged alphabetically by name of vessel and contains information about merchant vessels that entered U.S. ports during World War II. On 1 September 1939 this passenger liner set sail from Glasgow with over 1400 passengers and crew aboard. Little did I know, but back home I was considered missing and presumed dead. During the war this fleet underwent tremendous expansion as Canadian shipyards produced 403 merchant vessels. Add a Name to this List All were willing and did their best to help abandon ship quickly in the short time available. Although the Merchant Navy was a civilian service, during the periods of hostilities some mariners served in uniform with the Royal Naval Reserve, Royal Naval Reserve Trawler Section, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve and Royal Fleet Auxiliaries. We place some essential cookies on your device to make this website work. The database includes every British registered ship from 1855 to the early 1950s with official numbers 1 to 200000. ConsultBT 122-126and BT 128 (index in BT 127). These cards have been selected as they reflect the economic, social and demographic condition of the UK, as documented by the state's dealings with individuals, communities and organisations outside its own formal boundaries (2.2.2.1 of PRO's acquisition policy). The convoy was originally supposed to sail at the end of October 1942 as WS 13 but its designation was changed to WS 12Z (a lucky omen?). To view all records for an individual, select 'ALL' in the Service box. Archives, Open Government Licence My mum told me that he did serve. Second World War (1939-1945) Archival records and resources from the Second World War Archival resources from Canada's participation in the Second World War. You can search ()the records in Discovery, our catalogue, by filling in the form below. There have been times when I've thought about the few months of kindness and friendliness shown by Frau Wilmbrock and her family in the village of Kirch, where I and fellow Stalag X-B prisoner Jock Reid worked their farm. please Records 1939 - 1946. Monarch of Bermuda sailed on Christmas Eve for Liverpool via Trinidad arriving back on 21st January 1942. Visit The National Archives bookshop for a range of publications on the Merchant Navy. The staff had been working 48 hours without sleep planning the convoy and then tearing up the plan and movement orders as changes took place. Object category. Strange that we have sworn coroners statements from my grandfather's inquest placing him on the ship and performing his duties, but the official entry in the log claims he failed to re-join the ship. At 7.05 p.m. Matthew Towers A.B. Alternatively, search more than 1 million objects from IWM collections Menu. For details of the Arctic Star see our guide to Merchant seamans medals and honours. As the outbreak of World War II edged closer in 1939, the British merchant fleet remained the largest in the world, employing some 200,000 men and women. He listed drowning as the probable cause of death. A merchant seaman could qualify after six months service with at least one voyage in an operational area. For skippers and mates of fishing boats, registers of certificates of competency are in BT 129and registers of certificates of service are in BT 130 (index in BT 138). Ships & Convoys. SS Otranto, Capt. Results 1-9 of 9 View Record Name Birth Date; View Record. Registers were created to record the awarding of these certificates to officers and what they had done to qualify for them. These records come from The National Archives' record series BT112, BT113, BT114, BT115, BT116, BT119 and BT120. During that period the ship may have been on several voyages, and he may have been engaged for some or all of the period. As the U-boat is forced to hide beneath the surface of the sea a cat- . However, it was still important to record the movements of merchant vessels and so the Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen established this series of cards, now held by The National Archives in series BT 389. For quick pointersTuesday to Saturday Help us improve catalogue descriptions by adding tags. Find out dates of departure and arrival by consulting: Search the alphabetical register (BT 115) on Findmypast () which was compiled from crew lists. The less said about our stay at Drancy the better. As the outbreak of World War II edged closer in 1939, the British merchant fleet remained the largest in the world, employing some 200,000 men and women. : s.n., between 1939 and 1940) AWM call number: 387.5071094 M554; Online. Welcome to the The British Merchant Navy - Old Friends Plus. On August 26, 1939, the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) took control of all shipping. The ship turned out to be a disguised German raider. Digital copies of Merchant shipping movement cards 1939-1945 can be searched and downloaded. We also found evidence after 1943 of his return to the Army, promotion to Captain and his service in India, near Karachi. In the Merchant Navy there is a requirement that the 28 days should have been served at sea. The National Archives holds indexes to the registers covering the period 1913-1956 (the registers themselves, for 1915-1958, are held at the National Maritime Museum). The convoy arrived in Freetown on 1st March. A Clasp would be worn to signify service for the other Star. Narrow your search by using double quotation marks to find a ships or persons full name, such as Sydney Star or John Williams. 09:00 to 17:00. USA.gov, The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration A merchant seaman had to have served a minimum of 28 days at sea. From 1850 onwards, an officer was only officially qualified or certified as an officer if he had been awarded a Certificate of Competency (by passing an exam) or a Certificate of Service (for long service). For quick pointersTuesday to Saturday The official record of these two mens' deaths falls so short of telling the whole story. The official records state the purser took possession of his discharge book, his I.D. The funeral for 46 year old Jim Wafer was held on Tuesday 1st of June 1943 at St Dominic's Roman Catholic Church then burial at Ford Cemetery. The only good thing I remember about Drancy was the kindness of the French women who had nothing themselves, but nevertheless threw loaves of bread to us past the guards.