Death certificates of drowned seamen

[Brenda Shackleton]

Hello
I have been making enquiries of the Foreign Office concerning my grandfather's captivity in Libya in 1916.( from SS COQUET) They have asked for his Death Certificate. He drowned 28th June 1918 on SS QUEEN. Is it likely that there would have been a Death Certificate issued and if so do I just get a copy from National Archives ? Even if he had survived the War he would be long gone by now, bearing in mind he was born in 1867................ I don't understand what a Death Certificate would prove, because as I am married I don't still have the same surname as he.
Perhaps if I just forward the Commonwealth Grave Information it might do? He is commemorated on Tower Hill. N . HARTLEY.

Thanks for your help
Brenda

[j.sabourn]

If the ship he was on survived, his death would have been recorded in the Official Log Book (OLB) Births Deaths and Marriages were all recorded in the special pages of such, the OLB would have been returned to the Mercantile Marine Offices , for scrutiny and stowage and filed. What they have done with all such paperwork others on site will probably know. Regards JS

[j.sabourn]

I always used to refer to these pages as Hatch, match, and despatch. JS

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Hi Brenda.
It will in all probability be a privacy thing, without the death certificate you would to produce a history of your family or something official.
Cheers Des .

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[j.sabourn]

#1. If he was your paternal grandfather, and you had the same surname, this should also be on your marriage certificate. JS

[Brenda Shackleton]

Hello and thanks
I sent the details from the Commonwealth War Graves plus a photo of N. HARTLEY's name on Tower Hill. Apparently this is not enough. They need ' proof of death'. He died in 1918 aged 51 years which would make him 147 years old today. This does not prove that he is dead. I am trying not to sound too cross at the complete idiocy of it all ! Waiting for their next reply. Bet I have to get a Death Certificate.........
Brenda

[DeepSea]

HARTLEY, Boatswain (Bosun), NICHOLAS, S.S. "Queen" (London). Mercantile Marine. Drowned, as a result of an attack by an enemy submarine, 28th June 1918. Age 51. Son of the late Edward and Ellen Hartley; husband of Margaret Hartley (nee Moloney), of 62, Mayors Walk, Waterford. Born at Waterford.

No death certificates were issued for those who drowned at sea when the body was never recovered. As he is recorded on Tower Hill, no body, no death cert.

[Brenda Shackleton]

Thank you, Deep Sea
Let's try telling the Foreign Office that ! I sent all the information that you recorded above - taken from Commonwealth War Graves as well as a photo from Tower Hill for good measure. Clearly, it doesn't .'tick a box' grrrrr
Brenda

[robpage]

just a thought would he be included in the The National Maritime Museum Alphabetical Returns of Deaths of Merchant Seamen, July 1916–1989 . if so could they provide you something like a certified copy of entry that would satisfy the Foreign Office

[Brenda Shackleton]

Thank you, Rob.
I had a look at these returns and it would appear that they record deaths on Merchant Ships ' taken over' by the Royal Navy. Also, there is a difference between a death on board ship and a death from the ship ( drowning) I am still doing Crew Lists for the National Archives and these are the events that I have to note.
Brenda