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. Log book and Crew Agreements to be found in BT 381, Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen, 1872-1992. 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. Welcome to the The British Merchant Navy - Old Friends Plus. The convoy would have various naval escorts during the trip which would join and leave as the convoy passed their bases. Fort Pepperrell was in St. John's and many American servicemen were to resident in the capital city. A merchant seaman had to serve in the Atlantic, home waters, North Russia Convoys or South Atlantic waters. Some of these records are alsoavailable on the subscription websitewww.findmypast.co.uk. 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. If you provide contact details, we will be in touch about your request within 10 working days. They cover masters with foreign trade certificates sailing either as masters or mates. Catalogue entries for this series have been enhanced as part of a project supported by volunteers. He listed drowning as the probable cause of death. SS Otranto, Capt. We'd like to use additional cookies to remember your settings and understand how you use our services. Medals were not automatically issued, but had to be claimed by the merchant seaman. Woodman here relates the Merchant Navy's colourful history and brings to life the day-to-day experiences of the seamen. All Web: UK, World War II Medals Issued to Merchant Seamen, 1939-1945 results for ae. We'd like to use additional cookies to remember your settings and understand how you use our services. The image you order will usually come with a number of medal records for other seamen. Unfortunately, all their hard work diverting troops and stores came to nothing because Singapore fell into Japanese hands. MERCHANT NAVY SEAMAN'S SEA SERVICE RECORDS Sea Service Records . . Alternatively, search The National Archives Library to see what is available to consult at Kew. After a change of orders she eventually left the Clyde with escorts on 30th June. He was torpedoed and sunk twice but fortunately rescued on both occasions. This was simply a record of the. 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. PDF Merchant Navy seamen and officers 1913-1972 - The National Archives This caused miserable conditions throughout the overcrowded and claustrophobic troopdecks. LOG BOOKS AND CREW AGREEMENTS This website is paid for out of our own pockets, library subscriptions and from donations made by visitors. - Merchant Navy during the Second World War -. Dad signed off the ship on 8th May. Most of the prisoners, including myself, were sent from Drancy to concentration camps. 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. Contents Part Two 11. Research guidance for records relating to World War 2. 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. We place some essential cookies on your device to make this website work. (BSLOC_2013_11_114) Everett Collection Mary Evans","spans":[{"start":0,"end":131,"type":"em"}]}]}}],"metaTitle":null,"metaOgTitle":null,"metaDescription":null,"metaOgDescription":null,"metaCanonical":null,"addNoIndexTag":null,"_meta":{"__ref":"PrismicMeta:XgIZ8RAAACEA9U7G"}}},"TrustpilotTrustScore:4bdc84ff000064000505d022":{"__typename":"TrustpilotTrustScore","id":"4bdc84ff000064000505d022","trustScore":3.8},"PrismicRelatedDocument:XgIaTRAAACEA9VB8":{"__typename":"PrismicRelatedDocument","id":"XgIaTRAAACEA9VB8","lang":"en-us","type":"article-page-1939","uid":"the-merchant-navy"},"PrismicRelatedDocument:XgIaGBAAACEA9U96":{"__typename":"PrismicRelatedDocument","id":"XgIaGBAAACEA9U96","lang":"en-au","type":"article-page-1939","uid":"the-merchant-navy"},"PrismicRelatedDocument:XgIaORAAACIA9VAa":{"__typename":"PrismicRelatedDocument","id":"XgIaORAAACIA9VAa","lang":"en-ie","type":"article-page-1939","uid":"the-merchant-navy"},"PrismicMeta:XgIZ8RAAACEA9U7G":{"__typename":"PrismicMeta","id":"XgIZ8RAAACEA9U7G","firstPublicationDate":"2019-12-24T14:00:46+0000","lastPublicationDate":"2019-12-24T14:00:46+0000","alternateLanguages":[{"__ref":"PrismicRelatedDocument:XgIaTRAAACEA9VB8"},{"__ref":"PrismicRelatedDocument:XgIaGBAAACEA9U96"},{"__ref":"PrismicRelatedDocument:XgIaORAAACIA9VAa"}]}},"pathname":"/1939register/the-merchant-navy","publicPath":"/titan/dist/","browser":{"name":"Safari","fullVersion":"15.5","majorVersion":"15","osName":"Mac OS","isBot":false}}, Discover the sailors in your family history with the 1939 Register. At 6.25 p.m. Wednesday 26th of May 1943 P.C. 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. First World War Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve records can also be accessed online. 3 hold. 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. The medals were claimed and issued from 1946 to 2002. 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. Merchant Navy Awards 1939-1945 This collection details over 9,000 awards made to those who served in the Merchant Navy from 1939-45. In themerchant navy the term officer can refer to a master, mate, engineer, fishing boat skipper, second hand or cook. This information will help us make improvements to the website. If you can provide any additional information, please add it here. 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. Subscribe now for regular news, updates and priority booking for events.Sign up, All content is available under the Open Government Licence 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. The cards record the movements of both British-registered and Allied vessels engaged in the war effort. Find an object | Imperial War Museums Merchant Navy Day. 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. How do I find out where my uncle was stationed during his stint in the Navy? 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. 1939-1950. The convoy arrived in Durban on 18th December. 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. Much of the information would have come from the Royal Navy. Generally the qualifying service period for the Burma Star could only begin after the 1939-1945 Star had been earned by six months service. Some of the seamen discharged during this period. The British Merchant Navy was the largest in the world and required more crew than Great Britain had merchant seamen, as a result large numbers of Indian, Chinese and West African seamen were engaged to crew ships which regularly traded from Great Britain to ports in those areas. 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. ","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 column on the right of each record contains a reference number to the entitlement file held by the Registry of Shipping and Seamen. 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. 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. This collection includes Merchant Navy Seamen records held at The National Archives. Research guide C1: The Merchant Navy: Tracing people: Crew lists The exact number of New Zealand Merchant Navy war deaths will probably never be known with certainty, as the recording of personal information, nationality, next-of-kin and service in the Merchant Navy was not as comprehensive as it was for the armed forces. Conversely, it was fortunate that fair weather allowed the rescue of 80 per cent of the total on board. All Web: UK, World War II Medals Issued to Merchant Seamen, 1939-1945 results for Giron. . 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). At 8.00 a.m. Matty Towers looked in his bunk and then reported Grandad missing to the Bosun, J. Hynes. Merchant Navy campaign medal records 1939-1945 - The National Archives Other ways to find service records. Histories of the United States Merchant Marine from 1900 to 2000 Histories of the United States Merchant Marine in World War II (1939 - 1945) World War II Instruction Manuals for Mariners United States Government Reports on the Merchant Marine in World War II Histories of the United States Merchant Marine in the Korean War (1950 - 1953) 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. The troops on Monarch of Bermuda were originally destined for the Far East but would now be discharged at Durban. Even if a person had several mentions, he would only have one emblem. Many were singing songs while the boats were being lowered. A merchant seaman qualified serving within a restricted area in the Bay of Bengal. Canadian WW2 Service Records - WW2 Military Records 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. My mum told me that he did serve. There were no clasps awarded with the Italy Star. Add a Name to this List At the National Archives, researchers can find information on the United States Navy ranging from the wooden hulled ships of the Continental Navy used in the Revolutionary War, to the deployment of massive Carrier Battle Groups and Navy Task Forces. Few if any of the troops had ever crossed the English Channel let alone been exposed to the rigours of the North Atlantic. Under an Admiralty instruction during World War II masters of merchant ships were ordered not to record in the tabular section of the log book the ports at which their ships called or details of their voyages in case this information got into enemy hands. Seedies Merchant Navy Awards - Forces War Records In May 1943 S.S. Samaria was in West Huskisson dock at my grandfather's home port of Liverpool. The series generally contains information about radio equipment . Also awarded, with no minimum service requirement, if service was terminated by death, disability due to service or capture as a prisoner-of-war. Our Inicio; FAQ's; Biblioteca; Ayuda; Bsqueda avanzada; Comentarios/sugerencias . These records are digitised cards recording the movements of British and Allied merchant ships during the Second World War. This is the story of my Grandad, James Wafer and his best friend and shipmate Matty Towers. While the crew were preparing and lowering the lifeboats which were filled with personnel as they calmly filed up from the troop decks, HMS Challenger approached and skilfully placed her bow under the port quarter of Anselm, Many men jumped on board before the two ships became separated. By 05.47 all remaining boats were being rapidly filled by the use of side ladders and side decks while the remaining personnel jumped into the sea to grasp the lifelines of boats and rafts. Merchant navy defence courses: general information ([Melbourne? World War Two 1939-1945 - Archives New Zealand Up to 1854 records are arranged by port and registry number; subsequently by ship's official number. Before 1747 no formal record keeping of crews on merchant ships existed. These records were compiled at the Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen. research. Generally the qualifying service period for the Pacific Star could only begin after the 1939-1945 Star had been earned by six months service. When he talked to my Grandad he was told that he had a bad headache. To find out about a seamans entitlement, contact the Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen. By war's end 410 merchant ships had been built in Canada. Seamen's records ('pouches') are in: BT 372, Crew agreements and log books are in: BT 380, Coast trade crew agreements and log books are in: BT 381, Fifth Register of Seaman's Service is in: BT 382, Crew agreements and log books for requisitioned or chartered Allied foreign ships are in: BT 387, Special Operations Records, merchant seamen, are in: BT 391, Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen, 1872-1992, Have you found an error with this catalogue description? Awarded for service between 11 June 1943 and 8 May 1945, in the Mediterranean and the Aegean Sea. Most of these men were not born in Asia; many were Egyptian. 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. Brian Roy Clarke SS Sithonia, Sea. There was also no minimum qualifying period if service was terminated due to death or disability while on active duty. AB. (d.13th October 1945), Capt. 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! research. Records we hold This website Search Little did I know, but back home I was considered missing and presumed dead. ","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. 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). PDF Embleme Wappen Malings Deutscher U Boote 1939 194 (PDF) They also record the location (by latitude and longitude) and date a ship was sunk. From 10.00 a.m. 11.00 p.m. he was seen on his rounds attending to blackout by J. Lowe. 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. 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. 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. Research guide C10: The Merchant Navy: World War Two "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. 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. Voyages in the registers were usually recorded either as: Home trade voyages (repeated or reported voyages). Arrangements for those who succumbed to seasickness consisted of 40 gallon drums which slid about the deck with unpleasant splashings. Merchant Navy 1939-1945. 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. You may be searching for a ship on dates before or after movement cards were in use on that vessel. (These were originally described as 'Asian seamen' but that is misleading. I hope to also take a digital diary when it is finished to the Arctic Convoy Museum at Loch Ewe. Edit Search New Search. Records available only at The National Archives in Kew To access the records in this. All Web: UK, World War II Medals Issued to Merchant Seamen, 1939-1945 results for Ruth Mcmillen. Registry of Shipping and Seamen: Database of World War II - Archive Conditions on the raider were passable, but the prison ship was deplorable. Ships & Convoys. Using testimony from new witnesses and hitherto undisclosed public records, he seeks to explain why they were reported missing: believed killed. Against J. We'd like to use additional cookies to remember your settings and understand how you use our services. Archives, Open Government Licence All surviving agreements and crew lists with their logbooks are held by The National Archives, . The story was hand written and falling apart but I have typed it up for preservation. Although the design of this website looks rather old-fashioned, it's still updated and is a good resource for Welsh Merchant Navy records. A Clasp would be worn to signify service for the other Star. For example, MacDonald will not appear under the letter M but under D. IWM collections. Friends of The National 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. A merchant seaman had to have served a minimum of 28 days at sea. 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. This camp bordered on primitive in every sense of the word. The official record of these two mens' deaths falls so short of telling the whole story. This information will help us make improvements to the website. Merchant mariners or merchant seamen are assigned to vessels that primarily transport cargo and passengers during peacetime. 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. We place some essential cookies on your device to make this website work. 3rd Radio Off. Registration of cooks in the Merchant Navy began on 30 June 1908. He signed up in 1915 at the age of 18. Subscribe now for regular news, updates and priority booking for events.Sign up, All content is available under the Open Government Licence 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. Canada's air support was crucial throughout the war. I remember him telling me that he was actually on his first day of a period of survivors leave when D Day commenced. TNA has detailed research guides on the Fourth and Fifth Registers of Seamen and other records. Instead, these details were recorded on movements cards held and maintained at the Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen. The two Ellerman ships City of Lincoln and City of Edinburgh had to return to Liverpool and the Clyde because cargo had shifted. ","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. When the war began, Canada had 38 ocean-going merchant vessels. This guide will help you find and interpret records of Merchant Navy officers from 1845 to 1965. For ability and general conduct both men are reported as very good. You can search ()the records in Discovery, our catalogue, by filling in the form below. Want to know what life was like during the War? 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 Wafer it states "he failed to re-join ship" and for M. Towers it reads "died as result of accident". My name was and still is on the wall of remembrance in the Mission to Seaman in South Shields. During wartime, however, they can become an auxiliary to the United States Navycalled upon to deliver military personnel and materiel for the military. What ship was Admiral Harold Stark on during D-Day? 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. 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.