Canadian Mercantile Marine

[Ed Paquette]

A little-known fact is that during the Great War Canada operated a small mercantile marine. Medals to this service were named and awarded here in Canada. The naming of these medals was carried out by local jewelers and were engraved (see attached pic). Unfortunately, records of these men's service have been lost perhaps forever.

I am hoping this forum might be able to shed some light on this man's mercantile marine service. His name was William Stanley HAWK and he was born 7th Nov 1898 at Hibernia, Queen’s Co. New Brunswick. During WW1 he also served in the CEF as William Stanley HAWKHURST (his proper surname). His BWM is properly named "2010050 SPR. W.S. HAWKHURST. C..E", while his MMWM is named "WILLIAM S. HAWK". As he attested to the CEF in May of 1918, I figure his service at sea was in the 1914-1918 period.

[Doc Vernon]

Hello Ed
Seems that thee is some info (Documents for this Person on Ancestry , but its a paid site and you would have to join and Pay whatever Fees applicable to view these.
Hoping this may help you in your search.
Cheers

(William) Stanley Hawkhurst, b.1898 d.1949 - Ancestry®


William Stanley Hawkhurst (1898-1949) - Find a Grave Memorial

[Doc Vernon]

Possibly of some interest to you and others Ed
Cheers

Merchant Navy of Canada | The Canadian Encyclopedia

Canadian Merchant Navy - Wikipedia

Dont know if you have looked at this site at all, but may possibly hold info as well. Need to Email them and ask if this Person is perhaps on their database at all>
Cheers

Maritime History Archive (mun.ca)


British military campaign and service medals - The National Archives

[Doc Vernon]

I have just come across this site, but am not sure as how to really navigate through it al. But looks like if one knows how there may be a chance that you will find the Per son you seek in this maze somewhere.
I have sort of looked a bit but as said get lost! LOL
POSSIBLY YOU MAY DO A LOT BETTER
CHEERS

Merchant Marine (canada.ca)

Collection search (bac-lac.gc.ca)

[Doc Vernon]

I think i have found something here!
Now not sure as to if one can view Free or have to pay, so i am now just going to check.
Cheers

Collection search (bac-lac.gc.ca)

3rd Name down list!

Yes you can download free . However this is not his Navy Papers . But worth the try i guess!
Cheers

[Ed Paquette]

Thank you for all your effort Doc, very much appreciated. The information that is lacking is confirmation of the man's merchant navy service and ships on which he served.

Until a few years ago his grave was unmarked. When I discovered this I initiated action to have it marked through the Last Post Fund. When they asked me how I would like the inscription to read, I said his MN service should be noted. They refused this because there is no official record of this service.

Again thanks Doc.

Best Ed

[Doc Vernon]

They refused this because there is no official record of this service

Pity that Ed, and that s why i guess i cannot find anything on his M Navy Service!
One would think that there should be somewhere??
Good Luck anyway
Cheers

[Doc Vernon]

Hi Ed
Just going through all this again and looking at the various dates etc, i now notice that on that agreement, it was in 1918 only that your Man signed . This then says to me he served from 1918 onwards for whatever period?
Now if you read the following possibly can see that he may not have been in the Merchant Fleet? But this is just a suppersition on my part!?

Canadian Expeditionary Force | The Canadian Encyclopedia

Within this is what i cannot open called

• CANADIAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCE 1914 - 1919 A detailed official history of the Canadian Army in the First World War. From the Directorate of History and Heritage website of the Department of National Defence. Note: a very large document.
  
  So this then could be the reason he has no actual Record on any Ships ?? Again clutching at straws!
  
  CEF-org-chart-reconstituted.jpg (4500×2661) (canada.ca) JUST FOR INTEREST !

1918• Jan ~ Conscription now in force. • March 21 ~ German Offensive begins. • March 30 ~ Canadian Cavalry attack at Moreuil Wood. • Aug 08 ~ The Battle of Amiens. The beginning of what is known as Canada's Hundred Days. • Aug 26 ~ The Battle of the Scarpe. • Sept 02 ~ The Battle of the Drocourt-Queant Line. • Sept 27 ~ The Battle of the Canal Du Nord and Cambrai. • Nov 02 ~ The Canadian Corps capture the town of Valenciennes in its last major battle of the war. • Nov 10 ~ The Canadian Corps Reached the outskirts of Mons. • Nov 11 ~ At 10:58am Private George Price of the 28th Battalion is killed by a sniper. Two minutes later at 11:00am the armistice came into effect. The war was over.

nb: The Document is signed in May of 1918 ?? The War was over! In Nov of that Year the War was over! Now why is this i am asking myself??? He then only served for a period of some 6 Months ?? Or am i reading all this cockeyed! LOL

However after saying all this , he did get a MMWM .

Mercantile Marine War Medal | Canadian War Museum

[Doc Vernon]

Think i had said tis but there seems to be some info on My Heritage Site, however its a Piad Subscription Site, and i dont belong to it!
Cheers

Hawkhurst w s.JPG