","spans":[]}]}},{"__typename":"PrismicArticlePage1939BodySliceImage","type":"slice-image","primary":{"__typename":"PrismicArticlePage1939BodySliceImagePrimary","image":{"dimensions":{"width":1200,"height":742},"alt":"Black and white photo of a group of officers on the SS City of Manila, a cargo steamer of the Ellerman City Line","copyright":"Mary Evans/Pharcide","url":"https://images.prismic.io/findmypast-titan/16661bfe-a635-4d82-a616-66a6b14d10d7_group-photo-officers-of-ss-city-of-manila-a-cargo-steamer-of-the-ellerman-city-line-sunk-in-the-atlantic-by-a-german-torpedo-in-1942-with-just-one-crew-member-lost-mary-evans-pharcide.jpg?auto=compress,format"},"caption":"Group photo, officers of SS City of Manila, a cargo steamer of the Ellerman City Line, sunk in the Atlantic by a German torpedo in 1942, with just one crew member lost. United States Merchant . 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). This meant that Monarch of Bermuda with eight other liners and the cruiser HMS Royal Sovereign increased speed from 13 knots to 16 knots. In the indexes, names beginning with Mc or Mac are usually found under the letter following that prefix. . The Royal Canadian Navy was the third-largest fleet in the world by the end of the war, having enlisted 100,000 men and 6,500 women. We weren't sorry to leave there in a cattle truck three days later, when we were taken to Drancy Prison in Paris. This website is paid for out of our own pockets, library subscriptions and from donations made by visitors. 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. Using testimony from new witnesses and hitherto undisclosed public records, he seeks to explain why they were reported missing: believed killed. The often slow-moving shipsand the civilian merchant mariners who maneuvered themwere easy targets for enemy fire. Gunner, R. W. Orr D.E.M.S. The ship left Suez on 27th August via Port Sudan to load commercial cargo at Mombasa for Capetown and the UK. 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. Operational and non-operational service may be counted, providing that it was of 28 days or more duration. On 1 September 1939 this passenger liner set sail from Glasgow with over 1400 passengers and crew aboard. The registers survive at TNA in BT 120, BT 112, BT 113, BT 114, BT 116 and BT 119. 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). 1939 194 Yeah, reviewing a book Embleme Wappen Malings Deutscher U Boote 1939 194 could . Discovery is a catalogue of archival records across the UK and beyond, from which you can search 32 million records. George James William "Dick" Durling BEM. Maurice "Ginger" Archer SS Wendover. Edit Search New Search. The details are in an appendix entitled An Alphabetical List of all the Masters and Mates in the Merchant Service. . In May 1943 S.S. Samaria was in West Huskisson dock at my grandfather's home port of Liverpool. Merchant seafarers were involved in the Second World War from the first day to the last. 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. Genealogical enquiries should be made in writing and search fees are 30. Alternatively, search The National Archives Library to see what is available to consult at Kew. Awarded for service between 11 June 1943 and 8 May 1945, in the Mediterranean and the Aegean Sea. George Smith died later of his injuries. The weather was initially fair but by the 16th November they were in heavy seas in a Force 8 gale which was right on the beam causing the ships to roll heavily. The official records state the purser took possession of his discharge book, his I.D. According to a later report by the ship Cathay, the previous nights U-Boat dispositions siutuated a submarine close to the position of Anselm and which, despite the three corvette anti-submarine screen, allowed U-96 to put in a successful attack at 05.37 when a torpedo struck the port side reserve bunkers of Anselm. Some of the seamen discharged during this period. The survivors in the water and boats were picked up by HMS Starwort and Challenger approximately 230 on the former and 820 on the latter, but owing to the intense overcrowding an accurate count was not possible. Medals were not automatically issued, but had to be claimed by the merchant seaman. Catalogue entries for this series have been enhanced as part of a project supported by volunteers. The convoy arrived in Freetown on 1st March. After a change of orders she eventually left the Clyde with escorts on 30th June. This collection of records, BT 395, lists the medals awarded to merchant seamen for their service in the Second World War (1939-1945), with the exception of the Arctic Star. 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. Military ; Card Catalog ; Member Search ; DNA. Those giving evidence included J. Cornwall M.N. Help us improve catalogue descriptions by adding tags. Instead, these details were recorded on movements cards held and maintained at the Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen. Field Marshal Claude Auchinleck Evan McGilvray 2020-09-30 This military biography explores A merchant seaman might also qualify serving in operations off the Moroccan coast between 8 November 1942 and 12 May 1943. Whilst it is only short, it gives a vivid account of life on board ship as a RA gunner during WW2. They do not contain details of any passengers or crew. A little after 1.30 a.m. the last person to speak to Grandad was Able Seaman M. Towers. 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. As well as the registers of certificates of competency for engineers at The National Archives (in series BT 139, see above), the National Maritime Museum holds registers for the following years and certificate numbers: The National Maritime Museum holds the registers, bearing numbers 5001-41021 (reference RSS/CO/1-6). You may be searching for a ship on dates before or after movement cards were in use on that vessel. Gunner) fell from the gun platform on A deck to B deck, receiving head injuries. Enter the tag you would like to associate with this record and click 'Add tag'. Tragically, 30,248 merchant seamen lost their lives during World War Two, a death rate proportionally higher than in any of the armed forces. Increased Centralization and the Ikhwan Movement (1926-1934) 13. Main image:Allied convoy crossing the North Atlantic in 1942 during World War 2. 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. Records we hold This website Search 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. Their targets now travel in convoys, fiercely guarded by Royal Navy destroyers, and when contact is finally made the hunters rapidly become the hunted. The ships formed up with the Clyde contingent for convoy WS 16 west of Orsay on the 17th. 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. privacy policy, Registry of Shipping and Seamen: War of 1939-1945; Merchant Seamen's Service on Royal Navy Ships. The story was hand written and falling apart but I have typed it up for preservation. Helping people find out more about their relatives wartime experiences since 1999 by You do not have to fill in all fields to search. 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. American Merchant Marine Databases includes: . 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! 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. E. A. Huntbatch SS Orama (d.15th July 1941), Fireman James Gilbert Goodwin S.S. San Casto (London). Woodman here relates the Merchant Navy's colourful history and brings to life the day-to-day experiences of the seamen. v3.0, except where otherwise stated, Merchant Navy ships records: movement cards 1939-1945, Friends of The National The certificate number obtained from the index indicates: Certificate numbers with a letter(s) prefix NWS were issued in the colonies. Merchant ship movement card (catalogue reference: BT 389). Some of these records are alsoavailable on the subscription websitewww.findmypast.co.uk. 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. There was also no minimum qualifying period if service was terminated due to death or disability while on active duty. 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! In general Second World War Royal Naval Reserve officers records and post 1950 records are held by CN Pers (Commodore Naval Personnel). What are these records? A merchant seaman had to serve in the Atlantic, home waters, North Russia Convoys or South Atlantic waters. 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. 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. The cards are presented in alphabetical order by ship's name. These were to be my grandfather's final words on earth. This collection of records, BT 395, lists the medals awarded to merchant seamen for their service in the Second World War (1939-1945), with the exception of the. Photographs CAPTAIN CHARLES FRYATT ","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. Some idea of the danger awaiting convoys is given by the following story. Many merchant seamen came from parts of the British Empire, such as India, Hong Kong and west African countries. To have have kept all the cards together would have rendered them out of alphabetical order (in contravention of the specification) with possible adverse consequences for the list. heavily illustrated book presents the details of those ships and describes the fate of those lost between 1939 and 1945. The U-boat War in World War Two (Kriegsmarine, 1939-1945) and World War One (Kaiserliche Marine, 1914-1918) and the Allied efforts to counter the threat. It supported Britain's Bomber Command from 1943 to 1945, contributing a huge strike force. 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. An incomplete set of captains registers is available on microfilm in The National Archives reading rooms. Few if any of the troops had ever crossed the English Channel let alone been exposed to the rigours of the North Atlantic. For each officer registers provide: Look for a certificate entry in theregisters of certificates (they are arranged by certificate number) listed below. By 1878, Canada was the fourth largest ship-owning nation in the world, with a merchant fleet of 7,200 vessels. Index record for Ryan, John McMahon in the World War II Index to Allied Airmen Roll of Honour, 1939-1945 from Ancestry.com, historical military records. This collection records the movements of ships ordinarily engaged in foreign going trade. Find answers to your research questions at, How to File a FOIA Request for Archival Records. please AncestryDNA Activate a Kit ; AncestryDNA Learning Hub ; What's Included in Your Results . 1 With only two decades since the ending of the Great War most serving shipmasters would have been at sea during . 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. Information is contained in pouches and includes personal details such as name, age, rank, rating/grade and qualifications, together with details of the vessels on which the individual served. Records include photos, honours, service files and death records. I myself [Captain Elliot] slid into the water shortly before the ship took up a vertical position stern up and then disappeared completely at 05.59. This was 22 minutes after first being torpedoed. All First World War records for these formations have been transferred to TNA. Here's some details: Full Name: Harold Dowle Born: 7th June 1911 I have a card with a discharge A number in the name of H Dowle of 714335 for 12/7/1938 on a ship called Lornaston (148881) from Liverpool. 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. U.S. Rosters of World War II Dead, 1939-1945; . Search and download () records of World War Two Medals issued to Merchant Seamen (BT 395). They give the seaman's name, age, rank, rating/grade etc with details of the ships on which they served. 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. ","spans":[]}]}},{"__typename":"PrismicArticlePage1939BodySliceQuote","type":"slice-quote","primary":{"__typename":"PrismicArticlePage1939BodySliceQuotePrimary","content":[{"type":"paragraph","text":"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. The family believed that the torpedoed ship was the Tacoma Star of the Blue Star Line but I believe that ship was lost with all hands and Ronnie's name does not appear on the casualty list. He may have been in the Devon or Dorset Regiment. Divided first by country and then by shipping company, the book includes the ships of such great If you don't have an account please register. From 1845 onwards a system of examinations was introduced for masters and mates. For details of the Arctic Star see our guide to Merchant seamans medals and honours. USA.gov, The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration Find out dates of departure and arrival by consulting: Search the alphabetical register (BT 115) on Findmypast () which was compiled from crew lists. The trip back to Liverpool was via Durban, Capetown, Trinidad and Halifax. Gunner and T. Moulton Sectionman. 09:00 to 17:00. Merchant Navy Awards 1939-1945 This collection details over 9,000 awards made to those who served in the Merchant Navy from 1939-45. The date commemorates the sinking of the first British merchant ship in 1939, just hours after Britain declared war on Germany. In 1939, a third of the world's merchant ships were British, and there were some 200,000 sailors. Help us improve catalogue descriptions by adding tags. 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. Read My Ancestor was a Merchant Seaman by Christopher and Michael Watts (Society of Genealogists, 2002) this title is also available in our shop. The two Ellerman ships City of Lincoln and City of Edinburgh had to return to Liverpool and the Clyde because cargo had shifted. 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). During that period the ship may have been on several voyages, and he may have been engaged for some or all of the period. This is the story of my Grandad, James Wafer and his best friend and shipmate Matty Towers. One statement indicates he fell forward unhindered over the gun deck another says he staggered, gripped a rail and fell backwards to his death. 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. Most of the prisoners, including myself, were sent from Drancy to concentration camps. For information on how to order an Official Military Personnel File for a veteran who separated from service before 1957, . the National Archives. 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, . Even if a person had several mentions, he would only have one emblem. The image you order will usually come with a number of medal records for other seamen. Some useful printed works include: The Roll of Honour of the Merchant Navy and Fishing Fleets 1939-1945, 3 vols (London: Ministry of . Read tagging guidelines. The convoy arrived in Durban on 18th December. 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. Let us know. Records of Merchant Navy from other sources. Edit Search New Search. His brother Francis David Short was in the First War but I have no details on his service. For Matty Towers the three witness statements into his death are very contradictory. For quick pointersTuesday to Saturday They also record the location (by latitude and longitude) and date a ship was sunk. The ship turned out to be a disguised German raider. If you are ordering more than one record for seamen with similar names, you should check if their records are on the same page. This enabled them to arrive at Freetown on the 25th for fuelling and water before sailing on 28th for Durban. At this point the body of Matthew Towers A.B. : s.n., between 1939 and 1940) AWM call number: 387.5071094 M554; Online. Furthermore, the MID does not appear on the Order of Wearing Australian Honours and Awards approved from time . 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. Voyages in the registers were usually recorded either as: Home trade voyages (repeated or reported voyages). 1.30 a.m. Friday 14th of May 1943 Jim Wafer was seen apparently asleep in Seaman Gunners Quarters by Able Seaman Stanley Poole. They subsequently sailed on convoy WS 17. Brian Roy Clarke SS Sithonia, Sea. The National Maritime Museum holds the registers (see below). We place some essential cookies on your device to make this website work. Awarded after the Battle of the Atlantic for service between 3 September 1939 and 8 May 1945. The names on this list have been submitted by relatives, friends, neighbours and others who wish to remember them, if you have any names to add or any recollections or photos of those listed, Want to know what life was like during the War? Monarch of Bermuda arrived in Durban 30th July and carried out repairs. By 1895, they were essentially out of business. For example, MacDonald will not appear under the letter M but under D. We place some essential cookies on your device to make this website work. Saudi Arabia and the Second World War (1939-1945) 16. Results 1-9 of 9 View Record Name Birth Date; View Record. Awarded for service between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945. Shortly after, Samaria set sail for Algiers via the River Clyde, Glasgow. To determine eligibility for a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD Form 214, or a Report of Casualty, DD Form 1300, customers will be directed to to, View the National Archives Operating Status. Operations in and around the Dodecanese, Corsica, Greece, Sardinia and Yugoslavia after 11 June 1943 would also qualify. Object category. Unfortunately, all their hard work diverting troops and stores came to nothing because Singapore fell into Japanese hands. The medals were claimed and issued from 1946 to 2002. Ronnie stayed with the Merchant Navy during the war and was torpedoed off the east coast of the USA at some point. You can search for ships official numbers through the Crew List Index Project. All were willing and did their best to help abandon ship quickly in the short time available. Registers were created to record the awarding of these certificates to officers and what they had done to qualify for them. 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. 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. Ships & Convoys. The contents of the records vary, but they usually include name, age, place of birth, register ticket, ship names, and dates of voyages. 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. These files have joined our collection in an effort to better serve the public who are looking for proof of their ancestor's service, The first block of this series contained 4,800 cubic feet of records, The Coast Guard National Maritime Center (NMC) is the approving official for World War II Merchant Marine separation documents. Many years later he wrote a short fictional story about a Maritime Regiment gunner who brought nothing but bad luck. However the majority are held by the Maritime History Archive. If a seaman is not listed, it may be because they have not claimed their medal entitlement. You may be searching for a vesselfor which these cards were never used. If you have already submitted a story to the site and your UID reference number is higher than 261046 your information is still in the queue, please do not resubmit, we are working through them as quickly as possible.
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