My Dads time at Sea

[Elizabeth Copp]

I have all my dad's letters and aerogrammes which he wrote at sea when he was a radio officer in the Merchant Navy from 1941 to 1944, when he was invalided out. He served on the Dorington Court, HMT Rohna, the Ville de Strasbourg and the City of Dundee. The Rohna was bombed in the Med on the 26th November 1943 with the biggest loss of American forces at one time at sea - over 1000 Americans were lost. My dad was in the water for a long time and got dysentery and was then in hospital in Alexandria, I believe. I am writing a memoir about my dad for my family and am keen to find out if there is anyone out there who might know some of the men on these ships. My dad didn't speak of the bombing but got on with his life after the war. It was only when I found his letters after he died in 1976 and googled HMT Rohna that I found out about this disaster which had been hushed up by both the Americans and the British. My dad, John Cumming Sclater, came from Kirkwall in Orkney and was born in 1921 so this is his centenary year. There are a lot of sites for American families who lost loved ones on the Rohna but I can't find any British sites. Can anyone help me with my research?

[Keith Tindell]

Hi Elizabeth, that is an interesting story. We have some brilliant research members on this site, and am sure you will be contacted shortly, kt

[Keith at Tregenna]

HMT Rohna (+1943)

https://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?136772

Sinking of the Rohna— Worst Loss of US Troops at Sea

https://owlcation.com/humanities/Abo...-Troops-At-Sea

Amazing Rescue

https://rohnasurvivors.org/amazing-r...pass1632336714

HMT Rohna

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMT_Rohna

[Elizabeth Copp]

Thank you so much for these links.

[Doc Vernon]

Thank you so much for these links.

Hello Elizabeth
Just to verify please is that Surname spelt correctly!
I ask as i as yet cannot find any Records on him
Thank You
Cheers

Crew list for ship Rohna at NA Kew.

Reference:	BT 110/1275/18
Description:	Ship: Rohna, Official Number: 149745. When built: 1926. Registry closed: 1944.
Date:	[1939-1945]
Held by:	The National Archives, Kew
Legal status:	Public Record(s)
Closure status:	Open Document, Open Description
Access conditions:	Open Immediately

Crew List Ville de Strasburg at NA Kew
Ship: Ville De Stasbourg, Official Number: 168236. When built: 1920. Registry closed:... | The National Archives

Reference:	BT 110/1297/12
Description:	Ship: Ville De Stasbourg, Official Number: 168236. When built: 1920. Registry closed: 1945.
Date:	[1939-1945]
Held by:	The National Archives, Kew
Legal status:	Public Record(s)
Closure status:	Open Document, Open Description
Access conditions:	Open Immediately

Crew City of Dundee 1944 NA Kew
Search results: 143734 | The National Archives

1942
143734; 143740; 143741; 143743; 143746 | The National Archives

[Elizabeth Copp]

Yes, it's Sclater. I have his Continuous Certificate of Discharge. His number is R255916. Thank you for looking into this.

[Keith at Tregenna]

Any relation ?

Donald J Sclater
Principal
United Kingdom, British Armed Forces and Overseas Vital Records, 1761-2005
death:
1945

Eric C Sclater
Principal
United Kingdom, British Armed Forces and Overseas Vital Records, 1761-2005
death:
1944

[Elizabeth Copp]

No relation as far as I know

[Doc Vernon]

Yes, it's Sclater. I have his Continuous Certificate of Discharge. His number is R255916. Thank you for looking into this.

Thanks for the Number, makes it a lot easier now i have him but as you have his Discharge , is that his Book?? The one with all his Ships etc? Or just the Seamans Pouch?
His CRS10 would hold all his service in the MN!
cHEERS

He was registered as Slater!!!


https://discovery.nationalarchives.g...ils/r/C8203501

Reference:	BT 372/455/14
Description:	R255916 SLATER J C 28/08/1921 ORKNEY
Date:	1913-1972
Held by:	The National Archives, Kew
Former reference in its original department:	R255916
Legal status:	Public Record(s)
Closure status:	Open Document, Open Description
Restrictions on use:	To access this record please contact the Enquiry Service (via our contact webpage or staff in the Reading Room)
Access conditions:	Open on Transfer
Record opening date:	19 February 2001

[Elizabeth Copp]

I'm a bit of a novice here which is why I'm very grateful for your help. I think it's his book. It says on page 2 that it should be produced and handed to the Superintendent or Consul when signing Articles of Agreement... All 4 ships are there, including SAM 11 (2?) which was to have sailed from Glasgow on 7th February 1944 but the engagement was cancelled. What is a Seamans Pouch?

- - - Updated - - -

Am feeling a bit emotional seeing his name (wrongly spelt!) there. Thank you.