Photographs ?

[Hugh]

Hi Alex,
That's good. With military records once you supply the information it is pretty much a waiting game and they are quite busy.

With MN enquiries, there will be some work to do and probably a little cost as you have to provide the evidence of service [proof of ships he was aboard and where they were operating]. The application form will be submitted by his actual next-of-kin. You have some documents already but they are not enough, they are quite strict on what is required. Some of the information that you do not already have can be obtained for free such as MN Movement Cards for the ships he served in for the qualifying period.

What should you do first?

Contact the Registry of Shipping and Seamen (RSS) at Cardiff and ask them if they have a medal entitlement for 'Peter Smart Balfour, R118760 b. 25.1.1905, d. 2.11.1941'.
They may already have a medal entitlement for him, if so, great but I cannot see one online for him in the database. If they don't have an entitlement they will send you an application form with information on what you require to obtain. It is not an easy journey but I can guide you with it. So do that first.

Registry of Shipping and Seamen
MCA, Cardiff
Anchor Court
Ocean Way
Cardiff CF24 5JW
Tel: 02920 448800
Email: seafarers_registry@mcga.gov.uk
Website: Maritime and Coastguard Agency - GOV.UK

Regards
Hugh

[Marian Gray]

Hi Alex, A wee bit more. Two Obits pertaining to the brothers and one Memoriam of extended family names, in no particular order:

Leven_Mail_09_September_1942_0002_Clip (1).jpg

Leven_Mail_04_November_1942_0006_Clip.jpg

Leven_Mail_19_August_1942_0006_Clip.jpg

Hope you can read them.

[Alex Balfour]

Thank you so much Marian,I searched the newspaper archives myself some time back and found some of these.Sadly my Granny Thomson died young after giving birth which compounds the heartache that my family went through at that time.What a dreadful few years. Thank you .

[Alex Balfour]

My heartfelt thanks Hugh for the generous gift of your time and expertise on this journey.Thank you.

[happy daze john in oz]

Hi Alex, A wee bit more. Two Obits pertaining to the brothers and one Memoriam of extended family names, in no particular order:

Leven_Mail_09_September_1942_0002_Clip (1).jpg

Leven_Mail_04_November_1942_0006_Clip.jpg

Leven_Mail_19_August_1942_0006_Clip.jpg

Hope you can read them.

Welcome back young lady!!!!

[Alex Balfour]

Thank you so much.

[Alex Balfour]

Hi there,further to my journey that I am on regarding my family,I have applied to the RN and will have to wait and see what their reply will be regarding Richard.Regarding my Grandad Peter, I was sent forms etc but at the moment I need my older sister to agree consent to this which is ongoing.
And that leaves my Dad Alexander where I made enquiries for his pouch but I am totally confused as to the procedure I thought it was relatively straightforward until they asked what details I was expecting etc?.I just want asmuch information I can gather regarding my Dad and on what ships he served during his time in the MN.Part of my frustration is probably the fact that I don't have a lap top etc for all this but my little phone which can be challenging. Can anyone share some help or advice please?.Thanks

[Hugh]

that leaves my Dad Alexander where I made enquiries for his pouch but I am totally confused as to the procedure I thought it was relatively straightforward until they asked what details I was expecting etc?.

Using a mobile is challenging for this kind of research to be fair.

If you just asked for his Seaman's Pouch held in BT 372 then they will just send you the contents of the Pouch once you agree to costs. There is no need for them to ask you what you are looking for from it unless of course you just asked them a general question, which I would always not recommend. You should always be specific quoting the documents you want copied.

The documents you need are his Seaman's Pouch BT 372/688/110

Also there is a COMNO Pouch for him BT 391/5/69 - gives some details of service at Normandy, D-Day and beyond.
Did you ask for his CRS 10? I can't remember if you asked that question, that will be a different file? That will list all his ships - maybe there is some confusion about what you are asking for? His CRS 10 will cost you more and maybe they are asking if you want that too. I don't know?


Regards
Hugh

[Alex Balfour]

Hi Hugh, since I posted the previous message I went back on the site read through it again and paid tge£8.40 to get my Dad's pitch information so I will look forward to that.
You mentioned a Comno pouch, do I go through the same site for that Hugh?
The Royal Navy got back to me and sent some details for Richard where it mentions sending 2 campaign medals for him in 1953, I am not sure where these would have been sent as both Richards parents had passed away by then latterly my Great Grandmother in 1952..Unless I have misread them and it was an award only?.

[Hugh]

Can you post the document you received Alex?
The COMNO pouch is to a named individual so they can do the same thing for £8. 40 but not for the CRS 10 I am afraid.

Regards
Hugh