I remember him telling me that he was actually on his first day of a period of survivors leave when D Day commenced. Edit Search New Search. After a change of orders she eventually left the Clyde with escorts on 30th June. You need to sign in to tag. Using testimony from new witnesses and hitherto undisclosed public records, he seeks to explain why they were reported missing: believed killed. This camp bordered on primitive in every sense of the word. The slower ships left the convoy at Capetown and the convoy increased speed to 14 knots rounding the Cape into a full gale which eventually turned so that they had a following sea. Help us improve catalogue descriptions by adding tags. For quick pointersTuesday to Saturday I remember him telling me about runs to Malta and how soldiers shouldn't have been on ships. What are these records? All Web: UK, World War II Medals Issued to Merchant Seamen, 1939-1945 results for Ruth Mcmillen. 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). On the 18th the weather worsened to force 6 with a rough sea and short, heavy swell with poor visibility. Each set of cards records: The cards also show if the ship was torpedoed, mined, damaged or sunk. 10thFeb 2023 - Please note we currently have a huge backlog of submitted material, our volunteers are working through this as quickly as possible and all names, stories and photos will be added to the site. *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. When Germany invaded Norway on April 9-1940, the Norwegian ships that were in allied waters at the time were requisitioned by Royal Norwegian Government, which early on in the war managed to escape to the U.K. (the King was evacuated on June 7). 09:00 to 17:00. You can search ()the records in Discovery, our catalogue, by filling in the form below. This series contains records of Merchant Seamen's Service on Royal Navy Ships. please
Most of the prisoners, including myself, were sent from Drancy to concentration camps. Contents Part Two 11. The War Medal 1939-45 was awarded for 28 days full-time service in the Armed Forces between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945. The Crew List Index Project (CLIP) offers a searchable index of ships by official number. Merchant Navy mariners were recorded in the 1841 census but unfortunately not those on board ships either stationed on shore or at sea. In the indexes, names beginning with Mc or Mac are usually found under the letter following that prefix. Medals were not automatically issued, but had to be claimed by the merchant seaman. First World War Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve records can also be accessed online. The ship left Suez on 27th August via Port Sudan to load commercial cargo at Mombasa for Capetown and the UK. Some of the seamen discharged during this period. v3.0, except where otherwise stated, Merchant Navy ships records: movement cards 1939-1945, Friends of The National Merchant mariners or merchant seamen are assigned to vessels that primarily transport cargo and passengers during peacetime. Gunner, R. W. Orr D.E.M.S. The first time a foreign team have ever beaten them! Most of the casualties were considered to have been killed by the explosion and subsequent flooding in No. Instead, these details were recorded on movements cards held and maintained at the Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen. 1939-1950. 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?). 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). The steamer Anselm had left Liverpool with Monarch of Bermuda to join convoy WS 9B but hadnt been able to maintain the 12 knots speed. It supported Britain's Bomber Command from 1943 to 1945, contributing a huge strike force. Let us know. You do not have to fill in all fields to search. For quick pointersTuesday to Saturday Divided first by country and then by shipping company, the book includes the ships of such great List view Image view. Personnel records available to the public are now held byThe National Archives (TNA), formerly known as the Public Record Office, the website has helpful research guides. The National Archives' catalogue Catalogue description Registry of Shipping and Seamen: Database of World War II Medals issued to Merchant Seamen Search within or browse this series to find. Dad signed off the ship on 8th May. 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. The minimum qualifying period was one day. Germany turned submarines, battleships, aircraft and mines on Britains supply lines, while British and American shipyards worked tirelessly to replace those ships that were sunk. 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! In general Second World War Royal Naval Reserve officers records and post 1950 records are held by CN Pers (Commodore Naval Personnel). Merchant Navy Day. We'd like to use additional cookies to remember your settings and understand how you use our services. On the outbreak of the 1939-1945 war between the United Kingdom and Germany (3 September 1939), British-registered merchant ship masters were sent radio messages instructing them to open the sealed envelope which had been deposited in ships' safes as much as a year previously. By now the United States had entered the war and Japanese forces were invading Malaya. Despite the fact that merchant crews were not compelled to sail on the dangerous ocean passages, most indeed did. 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. Research guidance for records relating to World War 2. . Gunner) fell from the gun platform on A deck to B deck, receiving head injuries. This guide will help you find and interpret records of Merchant Navy officers from 1845 to 1965. 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. 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. Inicio; FAQ's; Biblioteca; Ayuda; Bsqueda avanzada; Comentarios/sugerencias . Subscribe now for regular news, updates and priority booking for events.Sign up, All content is available under the Open Government Licence At 7.05 p.m. Matthew Towers A.B. On being examined by the ship's surgeon life was found to be extinct.
Records available only at The National Archives in Kew To access the records in this. The cards give the name of a ship and details of its movements, namely, the ports at which it docked, and passage between ports. You might also find information about an officer by searching the records of ordinary merchant seamen. From the mid-18th century, masters or owners of most British-registered merchant ships were required to keep a record of their crew before the ship left port. For Matty Towers the three witness statements into his death are very contradictory. They do not contain details of any passengers or crew. This is the story of my Grandad, James Wafer and his best friend and shipmate Matty Towers. The story is called The Jinx. At Halifax she embarked American troops to Reykjavik in Iceland and arrived back on 17th October a total journey time of three months. 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. 1 With only two decades since the ending of the Great War most serving shipmasters would have been at sea during . This information will help us make improvements to the website. The date commemorates the sinking of the first British merchant ship in 1939, just hours after Britain declared war on Germany. However, service was considered military in nature for those who served between December 7, 1941, and December 31, 1946. The ships formed up with the Clyde contingent for convoy WS 16 west of Orsay on the 17th. Nine types of medals were awarded to British merchant seamen who served in the Second World War and who met the qualifications for each medal. A merchant seaman had to serve in the Atlantic, home waters, North Russia Convoys or South Atlantic waters. Records of people younger than 100 and still alive, or who died after 1991 are officially closed. Next Apply for your own . 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. If they appear on the same page, you should only pay one fee. During wartime, however, they can become an auxiliary to the United States Navycalled upon to deliver military personnel and materiel for the military. When the convoy arrived at Durban on 21st March the Commodore recommended that the Armed Merchant Cruisers used for convoy protection were not suitable owing to their slow speed of 12.1/2 knots when the liners carrying 4,000 troops were capable of 18 knots or more. In any case, there might be a legitimate reason why only some cards indicate the latest name, i.e. Numbers were allocated to the certificate of service in BT 130 are as follows: We hold indexes to registers of certificates of competence and service for cooks, 1913-1956 in BT 319. Saudi Arabia and the Second World War (1939-1945) 16. Awarded for service between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945. The world has been led by intensive and extensive waves of darkness from renaissance all the way down to the Covid crisis. 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 National Archives. Services and information Second World War death records Search the war dead service files from the Second World War. This is the story of my Grandad, James Wafer and his best friend and shipmate Matty Towers. When they reached Aden on 15th August the convoy was disbanded. To access the records in this section you will either need to visit usor, where you can identify a specific document reference, order a copy(). A register entry for home trade voyages, from BT 126. He survived. This enabled them to arrive at Freetown on the 25th for fuelling and water before sailing on 28th for Durban. We place some essential cookies on your device to make this website work. Merchant navy defence courses: general information ([Melbourne? Field Marshal Claude Auchinleck Evan McGilvray 2020-09-30 This military biography explores This was simply a record of the. A register entry for a foreign trade voyage, from BT 124. This information will help us make improvements to the website. The swell was of considerable height and the ships became almost unmanageable and steering had to be assisted by engines. TNA has detailed research guides on the Fourth and Fifth Registers of Seamen and other records. MERCHANT NAVY SEAMAN'S SEA SERVICE RECORDS Sea Service Records . In the eleven months on the ship Dad had spent three months in Liverpool. ","spans":[]}]}},{"__typename":"PrismicArticlePage1939BodySliceImage","type":"slice-image","primary":{"__typename":"PrismicArticlePage1939BodySliceImagePrimary","image":{"dimensions":{"width":1200,"height":1882},"alt":"Propaganda poster for the Merchant Navy during World War II. Conditions on the raider were passable, but the prison ship was deplorable. The less said about our stay at Drancy the better. Enter the tag you would like to associate with this record and click 'Add tag'. Arrangements for those who succumbed to seasickness consisted of 40 gallon drums which slid about the deck with unpleasant splashings. While in Freetown news came through that the Japanese had landed in Java and Batavia and the Dutch East Indies had surrendered which would mean no more convoys to the Far East. These entries record a single voyage during which the seaman was engaged on a particular ship. Results 1-2 of 2 View Record Name . Records of Royal Naval Reserve ratings in service between 1914 -1955 are available online atwww.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/royal-naval-reserve-service-records.htm. 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. photographs, documents or items from the First or Second World War, please do not destroy them. Alternatively, search The National Archives Library to see what is available to consult at Kew. Not all changes in ships names are logged on the cards and in such cases it will be necessary to obtain the ships official number (not usually recorded on the cards) and check against that number for all possible name changes. : s.n., between 1939 and 1940) AWM call number: 387.5071094 M554; Online. The qualifying service period for the Atlantic Star could only begin after the 1939-1945 Star had been earned by six months service. The T124X records detail the sea service of merchant seamen who served on Royal Navy ships (or Royal Navy auxiliary vessels). Monarch of Bermuda arrived in Durban 30th July and carried out repairs. Edit Search New Search. I have a record of him being on HMS Leonian in 1941/2 from a list of people he wanted to write telegrams to from the ship. 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. 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. In Britain, New Zealand and other Commonwealth countries, 3 September is Merchant Navy Day. These records have been selected on the basis that they reflect the economic, social and demographic condition of the UK, as documented by the state's dealings with individuals, communities and organisations outside of its own formal boundaries (2.2.2.1 of PRO's acquisition policy). The official history for the Second World War, Australia in the War of 1939-1945, has been digitised and is available for viewing on the Memorial's web site. Archives, Open Government Licence Anyone who qualified for both the France & Germany Star and the Atlantic Star would be awarded the first Star earned, with a Clasp. The details are in an appendix entitled An Alphabetical List of all the Masters and Mates in the Merchant Service. If you don't have an account please register. The entries are arranged in date order and provide: Apply for a copy of a certificate from the National Maritime Museums Caird Library you will need the certificate number. After the declaration of war in September 1939, the Ministry of Shipping then under the control of Lieutenant-Colonel Sir John Gilmour took control of the merchant fleet. was taken ashore by the military authorities for burial. Helping people find out more about their relatives wartime experiences since 1999 by I think the tag '' should be removed from: Subscribe now for regular news, updates and priority booking for events, All content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0, except where otherwise stated, BT - Records of the Board of Trade and of successor and related bodies, Division within BT - Records of the Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen and successor, Merchant shipping movement cards 1939-1945, Merchant Navy ships' records: movement cards 1939-1945, Merchant Navy ships' records: registration of merchant ships, About our
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. 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. They cover masters with foreign trade certificates sailing either as masters or mates. Log book and Crew Agreements to be found in BT 381, Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen, 1872-1992. 3rd Radio Off. Merchant ship movement card (catalogue reference: BT 389). By war's end 410 merchant ships had been built in Canada. Generally the qualifying service period for the Italy Star could only begin after the 1939-1945 Star had been earned by six months service. For quick pointersTuesday to Saturday Registration of cooks in the Merchant Navy began on 30 June 1908. 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. heavily illustrated book presents the details of those ships and describes the fate of those lost between 1939 and 1945. Medals and awards Refer to our research guides: Campaign and service medals Australian military honours and awards Where to look for photographs It was the job of the Ministry to decide what cargo the ships would carry and the function they would fulfil in order to best support the war effort, while crewing and provisioning remained under the jurisdiction of the shipping industry. Conversely, it was fortunate that fair weather allowed the rescue of 80 per cent of the total on board. Search and download () records of World War Two Medals issued to Merchant Seamen (BT 395). Our first night there we had doors for beds. The official record of these two mens' deaths falls so short of telling the whole story. If you have any unwanted Narrow your search by using double quotation marks to find a ships or persons full name, such as Sydney Star or John Williams. The ship had to wait in Aden until the Monster liners Mauretania, Ile de France and Nieuw Amsterdam from convoy CM 15 had passed through ahead of her to disembark at Suez before she did. Monarch of Bermuda sailed on Christmas Eve for Liverpool via Trinidad arriving back on 21st January 1942. 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. There were no portholes, and ventilation came from the open access hatches which had to be closed at night when the ships were darkened. The Wartime Memories Project is run by volunteers and the free to access part of the website is funded by donations from our visitors. Discovery is a catalogue of archival records across the UK and beyond, from which you can search 32 million records. Have you found an error with this catalogue description? SA. Find out dates of departure and arrival by consulting: Search the alphabetical register (BT 115) on Findmypast () which was compiled from crew lists. Show all records. On 11th February Monarch of Bermuda embarked 2,500 troops and had to anchor with other troopships in the River Mersey held up by fog until the 16th. In themerchant navy the term officer can refer to a master, mate, engineer, fishing boat skipper, second hand or cook. Become a Member When the war began, Canada had 38 ocean-going merchant vessels. Underneath, the caption reads: `The life-line is firm thanks to the Merchant Navy`. The British Merchant Navy fleet was the largest in the world in 1939 and around 185,000 men served in it during the Second World War. Please ensure the tag is appropriate for the record. Don Fraser, "'Men of a service . 1. I was held in Stalag X-B for two years, and I will never forget that smell it lingered constantly. Awarded for service between 11 June 1943 and 8 May 1945, in the Mediterranean and the Aegean Sea. Search 5: service details of Merchant Navy cooks 1913-1956 This is a search in record series BT 319. Even if a person had several mentions, he would only have one emblem. Merchant Navy 1939-1945 Royal Navy 1939-1945 Naval Warfare Atlantic 1939-1945 Malta 1939-1945 British Home Front 1939-1945 British Army 1939-1945 Submarines German Home Front 1939-1945 Prisoners of War, . In 1939 the Admiralty instructed the Board of Trade, for reasons of security, to prevent masters of merchant vessels from using ships logs or crew lists and agreements to record destinations or ports of call. Ordinary Seaman Charles Lomax served with the Merchant Navy in WW2. Search The Gazette for lists of masters and mates who passed officer examinations. A little after 1.30 a.m. the last person to speak to Grandad was Able Seaman M. Towers. There was also no minimum qualifying period if service was terminated due to death or disability while on active duty. - Merchant Navy during the Second World War -. Want to know what life was like during the War? Search Discovery, our catalogue, by name of person or ship in T 335 to find what the award was, the persons rank at the time, and the ship they were serving on. Records we hold This website Search I know that during 1939 to 1945 he served on a few Navy ships as an engineering officer RNVR and some time ago I sent a letter to obtain a record of the Naval ships he sailed in. The popularity of the site means that it is far exceeding available resources. In the Merchant Navy there is a requirement that the 28 days should have been served at sea. Robert Malcolm Barber MV Patella (d.16th Feb 1944). When he talked to my Grandad he was told that he had a bad headache. One statement indicates he fell forward unhindered over the gun deck another says he staggered, gripped a rail and fell backwards to his death. On 13th December the weather reached gale force which repeated the heavy rolling and misery in the troopdecks experienced on the first leg of the voyage. We also found evidence after 1943 of his return to the Army, promotion to Captain and his service in India, near Karachi. On the Samaria crew list and report of character, James Wafer and Matty Towers are consecutive number 59 & 60. Records of Merchant seamen serving in the Royal Navy under T124X and T124T contracts The UK National Archive (formerly the Public Record Office) holds the following records which are available for online access: The reference BT 391 includes the T124X records which detail the sea service of merchant seamen who served on Royal Navy ships. 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. Consult series BT 128 for details. They give the seaman's name, age, rank, rating/grade etc with details of the ships on which they served. AncestryDNA Activate a Kit ; AncestryDNA Learning Hub ; What's Included in Your Results ; . Welcome to the The British Merchant Navy - Old Friends Plus. If you provide contact details, we will be in touch about your request within 10 working days. American Merchant Marine Databases includes: . Ships & Convoys. Please ensure the tag is appropriate for the record. A merchant seaman could qualify after six months service with at least one voyage in an operational area. Discovery is a catalogue of archival records across the UK and beyond, from which you can search 32 million records. He said he always craved the soil under his boots. 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. It was the Knights of Columbus Hostel on Harvey Road which was frequently used by the servicemen. Within the Returns of Births and Deaths of Passengers 1939-1963 there are for 1939-1945 also records of deaths of soldiers on hospital and troopships, but it is necessary to know the name of the ship. Friends of The National Merchant seamen who were discharged from the navy between 1940 and 1972 had their records filed in what became known as 'seamen's pouches'. 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. Many merchant seamen came from parts of the British Empire, such as India, Hong Kong and west African countries. 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The first chapter of this books presents the three waves operations of social, political, economic, technological, military and educational aspect of world affairs under the following subjects. We'd like to use additional cookies to remember your settings and understand how you use our services. A merchant seaman qualified serving within a restricted area in the Bay of Bengal. The troops on Monarch of Bermuda were originally destined for the Far East but would now be discharged at Durban.
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