Research deadend

[Gordon Watson]

Hello - my late father was in the Merchant Navy and I have recovered some of his records but there are large gaps.

I paid a researcher who came up with information from dad's Seaman's Pouch that showed a transfer from 'somewhere' to the Merchant Navy Reserve in 1946.

I was hoping there would be a Summary of Service and there was, but it was not filled in, it's been left completely blank.

Dad worked a lot on a ship called the 'Glenstrae' and we have a lot of photos of him in various uniforms from around the world and on board ships.

I have a copy of the Ship's Log and the log and dad's stories all seem to fit but when I search the Crew Lists my father's name doesn't appear in years 1943-1945.

We were aware that dad was in the Merchant Navy but also ended up filling in on Royal Navy ships when there were shortages due to leave, death or what-have-you.

It just seems sad we won't be able to finish our research and if dad was eligible for medals then we can't prove it in any application.

Can anyone suggest any research tips or have I hit a dead end?



Research

Name: David Glen Watson

DOB: 28 August 1921

Identity Card: BS 206966 (new)

Identity Card: BS 148761 (lost)

No. of DIS. A Issued: R339679

Junior Electrician

N.R. No. SGGB/73/3

Central Register of Seamen (aka Fifth Register of Seamen), 1941-1972

BT 382/1891 Nothing survives.

BT 382/3020 Nothing survives.

BT 372 Pouch survives.

BT 390 Nothing survives.

BT 391 Nothing survives.

BT 377/7 Record (if it exists) not open to public inspection but can be requested under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

[Doc Vernon]

Hi Gordon
When you say nothing exists for https://discovery.nationalarchives.g...ls/r/C10991243 have you actually been to the Archives ? As it covers as you kw many names you need to give his Seamans Pouch Reference as well.
https://discovery.nationalarchives.g...ils/r/C8272928
Let me know please
Which Crew lists have you searched have you looked or contacted the Crew List Section of the University Records of Newfoundland Canada at all.??
Cheers


Some crew Lists for that Ship here on request but not sure if dates are of use??
https://www.mun.ca/mha/holdings/view...cial_No=146283

[Gordon Watson]

Hi Doc Vernon,

Firstly, thanks for the reply, very much appreciated.

No, I haven't been, not yet anyway, I live in Auckland, New Zealand.

I used a researcher from Forces War Records website.

I'll take a look at the links you've sent and come back to you.

I've got seven jpg images of pages from dad's Seaman's Pouch and tried to post them here but they won't upload.

[Doc Vernon]

Sent you a Private Message Gordon
Cheers

[Doc Vernon]

Gordon
You would be best to ask for a Copy of his CRS10 from the Link i have given in my Post.
Just remember to put as much info as you can and also dont forfet to quote his Seamans Pouch Reference Number ,this will make sure that only his Records will be looked at!
It is initially 8 GBP for them to make a search,then they will let you know what the find,and if you want to go ahead then thats the way.

Reference:	BT 382/3020
Description:	Watson Adrian to Watson Hugh Ritchie
Date:	1941 Jan 01 - 1972 Dec 31
Held by:	The National Archives, Kew
Former reference in its original department:

Hope you will get some luck
Cheers

[Gordon Watson]

Where would I find the Crew lists for Glenstrae between 1938 and 1949?

[Doc Vernon]

There is only one entry on that site I gave Gordon for the Year 1938

You can Write to them see Email address on this Link and make it Note of Mrs Taya MacDonald
https://www.mun.ca/mha/about/orderagreements.php
Cheers

[wightspirit]

Assuming you want Glenstrae, Official No. 146283, a complete run of crew agreements and logs from 1939 to 1949 is here: https://discovery.nationalarchives.g...ro=any&_st=adv

If the link doesn't work go here: https://discovery.nationalarchives.g...dvanced-search Enter the details using the reference BT and you'll find it.

Dave W

[Gordon Watson]

9tkfub00.jpg

Dad Navy Whites.jpg

dgwnavy1945.jpg

Can anyone tell me anything about these uniforms or even the places in these photos?

[Captain Kong]

At 20.58 hours on 29 March 1942 the unescorted Hertford (Master John Collier Tuckett) was hit by two torpedoes from U-571 about 200 miles south of Halifax. The ship was hit at 21.31 hours by a coup de grāce and sank four minutes later by the stern. Four crew members were lost. The master and 18 crew members landed at Liverpool, Nova Scotia. 21 crew members were picked up by the British steam merchant Glenstrae. 16 crew members and two gunners were picked up by the British steam merchant Fort Townsend and landed at Halifax.

Hope this helps a bit,. Cheers, Brian

BELOW A PAINTING OF THE SS GLENSTRAE HOVE TO IN HEAVY WEATHER.