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Thread: My Dads time at Sea

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    Post My Dads time at Sea

    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?

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    Default Re:My Dads time at Sea

    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
    Last edited by Doc Vernon; 22nd September 2021 at 10:40 PM.
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    Default Re: My Dads time at Sea

    Last edited by Doc Vernon; 22nd September 2021 at 10:37 PM.

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    Default Re: My Dads time at Sea

    Thank you so much for these links.
    Last edited by Doc Vernon; 22nd September 2021 at 10:38 PM.

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    Default Re: My Dads time at Sea

    Quote Originally Posted by Elizabeth Copp View Post
    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
    Last edited by Doc Vernon; 22nd September 2021 at 10:38 PM.
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    Default Re: My Dads time at Sea

    Yes, it's Sclater. I have his Continuous Certificate of Discharge. His number is R255916. Thank you for looking into this.
    Last edited by Doc Vernon; 22nd September 2021 at 10:39 PM.

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    Default Re: My Dads time at Sea

    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
    Last edited by Doc Vernon; 22nd September 2021 at 10:39 PM.

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    Default Re: My Dads time at Sea

    No relation as far as I know
    Last edited by Doc Vernon; 22nd September 2021 at 10:40 PM.

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    Default Re: My Dads time at Sea

    Quote Originally Posted by Elizabeth Copp View Post
    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
    Last edited by Doc Vernon; 22nd September 2021 at 10:41 PM.
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    Default Re: My Dads time at Sea

    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.
    Last edited by Doc Vernon; 22nd September 2021 at 10:42 PM.

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