Merchant Navy Research - 1st Timer!

[JohnLClark]

Good Afternoon all

I am doing some research on behalf of my Dad. He has given me some old letters sent during the war from his late uncle. I have established that he was in the Merchant Navy - His name was Cecil Sheppard and his Service Number was JX/351352. I have found out that the JX states he was a Long Service Seaman from the Chatham Port Division. But I cant seem to find any further details on him. I have a letter sent from the HMS Chinkara but it all goes a bit quiet there. I have his discharge number of R33286.

Could anyone assist me if possible obtain some further information so i can let my dad know.

Thank you all in advance.

[Doc Vernon]

Hello John C
First up, the initial Number you give ( JX/351352.)

• C/JX - Long service seaman from Chatham Port Division

Chatham Port Division and is not Merchant Navy, it is in fact Royal Navy , The Chatham Division - Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust (thedockyard.co.uk)

the second Number is Merchant Navy R33286 Have you any idea on his Service Years!?? EG 1935 TO 1945
I will have a look and see if i can come up with any other info.
So just watch this space
Cheers

[Doc Vernon]

This Record comes up (Medal Lising) but for who i feel is not your Man??
Strange as its the same R Number?? Any ideas!

Reference:	BT 395/1/88116
Description:	Medal listing of Sheppard, Herbert A Discharge number: R33286 Date of Birth: 09 July 1910
Date:	[1946-2002]
Held by:	The National Archives, Kew
Legal status:	Public Record(s)
Closure status:	Open Document, Open Description
Access conditions:	Open on Transfer

Where to find Royal Navy Service Records | Imperial War Museums (iwm.org.uk)

[Doc Vernon]

He may also have been with the COMNO Service ?
This again will not be certain, but worth a try i guess and cost?? Up to you though!

Sharpe, F - Simmons, T G. (Described at item level) | The National Archives

[JohnLClark]

Thank you Doc. First of all, apologies as it didn't tell me you had replied to my thread! Hence me only getting around now to reply.

It's all a bit odd isn't as had a brother named Herbert. Il have a look at what I've got and come back to you.

Thank you again.

[JohnLClark]

Morning Doc. Ok, so ignore the discharge number as I think that has got mixed up with the ancestry info. So Im assuming Cecil wasn't in the Merchant Navy but, can you help with Herberts info.

I am doing a book for my Dad to tell him of his war hero family.

[Doc Vernon]

Well John, at my Post #3 it looks like that is your Herbert! You may somehow have got mixed up with Numbers for the other Brother, who now it seems sure was only in the Royal Navy.

That R Number shown is for Herbert!

Think his Documents would be held by the Southampton Archives ??

Try Emailing them at the Maritime Division and ask!
Cheers

Contact us

If you had a family member who served in the Merchant Navy during the years 1918-1941 and want to find out more, please get in touch with us using the following contact information:

• Email: archives@southampton.gov.uk
• Telephone: 023 8083 2251

[j.sabourn]

John #1. One thing for sure if he had the same surname as yourself the search would have been more difficult as well goodness knows how many Nobby Clarks in the RN. Best of luck . JS.