Watson, Alexander Cameron - Information on this person

[Emma Hamilton]

My Grandfather was Alexander Cameron Watson / A.C Watson / Captain A.C Watson / 'Cam' born 23/02/1927 in Edinburgh, Scotland died 02/06/2003 in Australia.

He became from what i have been told one of the youngest Captains in the Merchant Navy, i know he sailed all over the world with the Merchant Navy after the war. My mother randomly told me today he was an apprentice on a Merchant Navy ship during Dunkirk but i have no other information on this or his work during or after the war.

I am wondering if anyone knows how i can research this or if anyone knows any information.

He became President of the Merchant Navy in Melbourne, Australia (possibly all of Australia? don't know if they are separate groups for each state or one for all of Australia) up until his death in 2003.


The medals i can find in my house are:
- War Medal (1939-1945)
- Atlantic Star (1939-1945) [with metal badge saying France and Germany]
- 1939-1945 Star
- Burma Star (1941-1945)
- 1939-1945 Frontline Britain medal 1994


I have a document from the national archives that has boxes marked of what he should have earned during the time but i don't know what they mean.

I also have attached a photo of a medal that i think belonged to him as it was in my house. It had 2 leaves attached to it but one had fallen off, i have no idea what the medal is for, when it was given/earned or what country (UK or Australia)

I have also attached some photographs

Your help would be greatly appreciated

[Keith at Tregenna]

Thanks Emma,

Certain our team on BMNOF+ will assist in every way possible.

Welcome to the site, our moderating team will no doubt, ensure your welcome ASAP.

Things may be a bit slow as it is Holiday Season.

Best wishes for 2018 and hopes that we can assist in all sought.

Keith.


.

[j.sabourn]

#1.. Emma the first medal on the left is the Australian Merchant Navy Awards Council it is the Australian Merchant Navy Service Cross with one clasp.
Signifys 30 years service in Australian ships.
I have the same with 2 clasps and signifies 45 years service.
When questioned about service on Australian ships I. Remarked that Australia had little or no ships under their own flag. So service elsewhere is accepted.
However the Medal only applies to Australian citizens.
The government Awards. councils address is the registrar, gpo box 1920, Hobart, Tas. 7001,Australia.
You can get it up on google. The medal itself would have been issued full size and in miniature and also in ribbon form.
Regards JWS.

[Marian Gra]

Hello Emma, Welcome to the site, cannot personally help you identify your grandfathers medals but there will be chaps here who can. Keep looking in it's fairly quiet at present due to the festive season.

Can see your tree & photographs on Ancestry but not many of his ships in your tree, will post what I find in the hope I'm not duplicating.

Name: Alexander Cameron Watson
Arrival Date: 19 Nov 1943
Birth Date: abt 1927
Birth Location: Scotland
Birth Location Other: edinburgh
Age: 16 Years 9 Months
Gender: Male
Ethnicity/ Nationality: Scottish
Port of Departure: Gourock, Scotland
Port of Arrival: New York, New York
Ship Name: Queen Elizabeth
Rank: Apprentice


Ship Name: Queen Elizabeth
Years in Service: 1940-
Funnels: 2
Masts: 2
Shipping line: Cunard
Ship description: Builder: John Brown and Company, Clydebank, Glasgow, Scotland. Tonnage: 83,673. Dimensions, 987' x 118' (1,031' overall length). Quadruple-screw, 31 knots. Steam turbines. 160,000 s.h.p. Two masts, two funnels.
History: Keel laid on December 4, 1936. Launched, September 27, 1938. Note: Largest ship built to date. Promenade deck 724 feet long. Her funnels are 70 feet high from deck level. Commenced her first sailing from the Clyde, bound for New York, February 27, 1940. Her secret sailing was under British Government regulations, so as to lessen the danger of being sunk by the Nazi. Throughout World War II she served as a very valuable troopship, completing the long period of duty in March 1946. Reconditioned for passenger service. Passengers: 850 first, 720 cabin, 744 tourist. Commenced her first regular Southampton-New York voyage, October 16, 1946, making the crossing in four days, 16 hours, 18 minutes. This was not a record breaking passage, and not surpassing the time of her running mate, the Queen Mary, but on this occasion no special effort was made to accomplish that feat. The liner is equipped with two sets of stabilizers. Passenger accommodation in 1960: 800 first, 650 cabin, 700 third. Running mate: Queen Mary.


Name: Alexander Cameron Watson
Arrival Date: 18 Dec 1950
Birth Date: abt 1927
Age: 23
Gender: Male
Ethnicity/ Nationality: Scottish (Scotish)
Port of Departure: London,nwi
Port of Arrival: New York, New York
Ship Name: Tectus....or Lectus as stated in FMP
Rank: 2nd Officer, Height 5'11'' Weight 147lbs

Name: Alexander Cameron Watson
Arrival Date: 19 Feb 1951
Birth Date: abt 1928
Age: 23
Gender: Male
Ethnicity/ Nationality: Scottish (Scotish)
Port of Departure: Curacad,nwi
Port of Arrival: New York, New York
Ship Name: Tectus


Name: Alexander Cameron Watson
Arrival Date: 23 Mar 1951
Birth Date: abt 1927
Age: 24
Gender: Male
Ethnicity/ Nationality: Scottish (Scotish)
Port of Departure: Curacao, Dutch West Indies
Port of Arrival: New York, New York to Sewaren, New Jersey
Ship Name: Tectus/ Lectus would in my opinion be the correct spelling.

Think this might be him too, although only middle initial is shown.

Name: Alexander C Watson
Nationality: British
Arrival Date: 21 Feb 1959
Arrival Place: Jacksonville, Florida, USA
Ship: Plagiola
Vessel Number: 186314
Rank: Ch Off.
Where shipped or engaged: Hamburg

And again

Name: Alexander C Watson
Nationality: British
Arrival Date: 20 Mar 1959
Arrival Place: Port Everglades, Florida, USA
Ship: Plagiola [Ocean Tanker]

This is all I can find for the 1940/50's same info on Find My Past.

[j.sabourn]

#1... Emma also for your information which makes not one iota of difference , but may make you a bit wiser, your grandfather dressed as a. Master in the British Merchant Service is correct as to braid etc. However you will no doubt if read other posts will realize as regards his cap badge is what was known as a Bombay basher, that is it was manufactured not as a regular uniform badge. The other and earlier picture of him he is in company livery and not regular MN uniform. Points that may make you more prepared to answer if anyone picks up on as you hopefully progress through his no doubt eventful life. Hope you find all you seek for from this site. There are plenty on here will help you. With or without the help of ginger wine over the holiday period. Happy new year. Regards JWS.

[Emma Hamilton]

The Australia bit makes some sense, as he and my Grandmother became Australian citizens and he continued to work for the Merchant Navy

Thanks

- - - Updated - - -

Thanks so much, I've not known much about his ships other than plaques that are stored in my grandmothers house which I am not sure where she has moved them to

[Keith at Tregenna]

Please keep looking in, update and remind us.

Sometimes it is usual to get tied up with new requests,

Working with you helps.

Keith.

[j.sabourn]

Marian an easier way to do this as regards his seatime May I suggest you try sending an email to Tasmania. They will have a list of his ships which would of had to produce to receive the Australian service medal plus the certificate that goes with it. Don’t want to interfere with your good work as have no idea how you get the results that you get. You might also advice them that Emma needs the second clasp which she thinks is missing. He may even be entitled to 3 clasps, however they will know. The medal.itself is for 15 years service, for every 15 years after that a clasp is presented . So 3 clasps would be 60 years, which I believe some have. It would be even easier if you have His dis. Number. Regards JWS.

[Marian Gra]

Thank you for the suggestion John, in this instance it may cut more sway if Emma applied to Tasmania personally Alexander being her kith and kin, and therefore would save time having the relative documents to hand if proof is needed for the initial enquiry?

[Emma Hamilton]

I know it had 2 as there were 2 on it when i was wearing them in an Anzac day march and when i got home there was only one left attached