Arctic convoy medals

[Ken Burns]

My father-in-law was in Arctic convoys JW63, RA61, and RA64.
He also served in the Med, was at Alexandria, and also taking supplies to Anzio or Monte Casino forces.
He died in 1990. I tried in 2000 and 2006 to see if he was entitled to an Arctic service medal to no avail.
Has anything changed lately that means the family can now get some recognition of his war service?
Who can I apply too?
I was also in the Merchant Navy on Clan Line and Union Castle Line in the 1960's.
Any help would be much appreciated.
Ken Burns

[Hugh]

Hi Ken,

The answer is yes but you need proof of service in those Arctic convoys. Proof would be his discharge book or CRS 10 or failing that copies of the crew agreements for the ship's in question showing his name along with sign on and sign off dates. So the first thing you need are the names of the ship's he served in. Do you have that information?

Did he receive medals for service in the other theatres - if not I need his name, date and place of birth to check for any medal entitlement.

Regards
Hugh

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Hi Ken.
Maybe you could list all his ships here from his discharge book with dates if any, you never know if someone might be on site that sailed with him. You should also do the same for the same reason.
Cheers Des

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[Ken Burns]

[QUOTE=Hugh;250962]Hi Ken,

The answer is yes but you need proof of service in those Arctic convoys. Proof would be his discharge book or CRS 10 or failing that copies of the crew agreements for the ship's in question showing his name along with sign on and sign off dates. So the first thing you need are the names of the ship's he served in. Do you have that information?

Did he receive medals for service in the other theatres - if not I need his name, date and place of birth to check for any medal entitlement.

Hi Hugh, Thanks for the reply. I have his discharge book and I have copied it here below.
Of all his ships, it is Empire Celia that he did his Arctic Convoy in. His engagement and discharge dates, and Convoy number JW63 outward bound, and Convoy RA64 homeward bound.
His sons and daughter are excited that we may be close to getting recognition of his war time service in the Arctic and the Mediterranean.
Johnnie Rooney’s Merchant Navy discharge book.

John Robert Rooney, born 9th October 1923 in Middlesbrough.
Merchant Navy Number R269333.
5’ 8” tall, blue eyes, brown hair, and medium complexion.
National Health insurance = Legal and General, Middlesbrough branch.

SS Cape Breton, 167607, engaged on 9th November 1942 at Middlesbrough, discharged on 24th March 1943 at Glasgow
Rating = fireman.
Voyage = Foreign.
Ability = very good,
General conduct = very good.

SS Newminster, 148131, engaged on 6th April 1943 at Middlesbrough, discharged on 16th August 1943 at Newcastle.
Rating = fireman.
Voyage = home Trade.
Ability = very good,
General conduct = very good.

SS Explorer, engaged on 24th August 1943 at Leith, discharged on 26th August 1943 at Leith.
Rating = fireman.
Voyage = Run.
Ability = very good,
General conduct = very good.

SS Danby, 160776, engaged on 28th August 1943 at Middlesbrough, discharged on 20th September 1943 at Cardiff.
Rating = fireman and trimmer.
Voyage = Foreign.
Ability = very good,
General conduct = very good.

SS Gateshead 143040, engaged 9th October 1943 at Middlesbrough, discharged 25th October 1943 at Middlesbrough.
Rating = fireman and trimmer.
Voyage = home Trade.
Ability = very good,
General conduct = very good.

SS Elizabeth, Dal? engaged 24th November 1943 at South Shields.
No other details logged in Discharge Book.

SS Bolton Hall, 160775, engaged 15th January 1944 at Middlesbrough, discharged 11th November 1944 at Middlesbrough.
Rating = fireman and trimmer.
Voyage = Foreign.
Ability = very good,
General conduct = very good.

SS Empire Celia, engaged 18th December 1944 at Middlesbrough, discharged 16th August 1945 at West Hartlepool.
Rating = fireman and trimmer.
Voyage = Foreign.
Ability = very good,
General conduct = very good.
SS Empire Celia departed from Loch Ewe on 30th December 1944, and arrived in Kola Inlet on 8th January 1945, in convoy JW63. 38 ships in convoy, 2 were lost.
SS Empire Celia departed from Kola Inlet on 17th February 1945, and arrived in Loch EWE on 28th February 1945, in convoy RA64. 33 ships in convoy, 2 were lost

SS Fort Esperance, 169708, engaged 14th September 1945 at Middlesbrough, discharged 22nd November 1945 at Cardiff.
Rating = fireman and trimmer.
Voyage = Foreign.
Ability = very good,
General conduct = very good.

Thanks for helping us.

Ken

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Hi Ken.
My brother was on the Danby but it was in 1946, I thought I had a pic somewhere but can't find it.
Good luck with your efforts to get your Father-in-laws Arctic medal those men deserved much much more than that.

Cheers Des

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[Brenda Shackleton]

hello Ken,

It's worth a phone call to the Maritime & Coastguard Agency in Cardiff. Ask for MR. NEIL STAPLES. He is a very helpful man and he will answer any questions you may have. He advised me to include my Dad's Death Certificate (which is not asked for on the MoD form). Be prepared for a LONG wait ! The whole process takes ages............
Certainly, send as many copies of documents as you can. Discharge Book. Mr. Staples will help you with what you need, I'm sure. You will also need the MoD form to fill in.
Perhaps now that the initial rush for the Arctic Star has subsided ,you may not have too long a wait. Again, Mr Staples is your man!
Maritime & Coastguard Agency,
Anchor Court,
Keen Road CARDIFF CF24 5JW
phone# ;- 020 2044 8800
Also, if you go to www.convoywwb.org.uk[/url] you will find more information about Empire Celia and her position in Convoys JW63 & RA64

Regards
Brenda

There is a picture of her on Wikipedia. She made a voyage to Russia JW54A which my Dad accompanied in the Rescue Ship,' Copeland'. If I have read it correctly she carried 13 Spitfires on JW63 , which is the convoy that you are interested in. Have a happy time researching !

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Hi Ken.
Found that picture of the SS Danby on one of my disks there were four. By the smoke coming out of the stack the firemen were busy.
Cheers Des

Danby-04.jpg

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[James S Harvey]

I applied for my great uncles arctic star last year his group is below wo h the Malta GC medal
Alsoisa group I helped a friend claim for his grandfather

Google claiming ww2 Medals it’s .gov site

Download the form and send to the mod medal office

You will need to be official next of kin to claim and will need death certificate

If you need help pm me and I will talk you through the process

03E16D4E-FB29-4617-A5B0-9EAC8FB94518.jpg

[Brenda Shackleton]

Hello Ken
See post # 6.
I hope that you are well on the way to the Arctic Medal. Incidentally, you can buy miniatures on ebay if you are interested in displaying the medals that way. Also a good idea if you want several family members to have medals.
Let us know how you go on, please.
Regards
Brenda