Victor Anthony Watts

[Linda Kable]

SHIPS NAME AND SERVICE RECORD

Full Name

Victor Anthony Watts

Discharge Book Number

R 108123

Department

Deck

Your Rank/Rating

3rd Officer

Which Ships were you on and When

Arethusa
Rangitata
Viceroy of India

Notes:

My father VA Watts joined the Merchant Navy in 1939 at the age of 12 years and 5 months. He discharged in 1945 on cessation of hostilities to enlist with the British Army.

[Keith at Tregenna]

Just wondered if the age of entry is correct ?

12 years and 5 months.

Regards,

Keith.

[Ivan Cloherty]

[QUOTE=Linda Kable;353526]


Victor Anthony Watts
Your Rank/Rating 3rd Officer

My father VA Watts joined the Merchant Navy in 1939 at the age of 12 years and 5 months.
He discharged in 1945 on cessation of hostilities to enlist with the British Army.QUOTE]

I think a little bit more research may be required, as if joining the MN in 1939 at age 12.45 years and leaving in 1945, then he would probably not have reached the rank of 3rd mate at the age of approx 18 years.

He could have reached acting 3rd Mate at 19 years old, if he had signed indentures at minimum 16 years old and during the last year of indentures been appointed as uncertificated 3rd mate.

At 12 years and 5 months old he would not have been eligible to be indentured in the MN, even if he lied about his age the difference in age between a 12 year and 16 year old is quite discernable and questions would have been asked. We do know that boys of 14.5 years old did join the MN in wartime and no questions were asked because of manpower shortages.

I did go to sea at age 13 years, but could only be signed on as a supernummeray and that was on distant water trawlers, but had to be indentured at 16 in the MN, so all things are possible

Maybe a place and date of birth would help our volunteer researchers

[Roger Millard]

It is possible the Arethusa which is mentioned was a training ship for boys who would start at around his age to train for the MN or RN I was 13 when I joined, training was up to two years which would make more sense with the discrepancy. Regards R.

[Captain Kong]

My brother joined the training ship INDEFATIGABLE at 13 in 1957 then away on the RAKAIA of NZSC at 15.

[Doc Vernon]

I find R108123 as his Discharge Number, think its the same person. On his CR2 Card. BT348
Served on the Rangitata as Asst Steward.
and Viceroy of India P&O SN Co. 1935
Cannot make out other Ships but there are three more in 1935 and the 1937.
Then Disc in 45.

[xantippe]

My father was a Hain apprentice and joined at thirteen but his Step Father had put his birth as 1908 instead of 1909.

[Linda Kable]

Just wondered if the age of entry is correct ?

12 years and 5 months.

Regards,

Keith.

Hi Keith, I have been given a copy of his service record that shows he enlisted on 13/9/1939 although his enlistment is noted as entry number 3 so perhaps there is a another page? His birth certificate shows he was born in April 1927. He was in an orphanage from about the age of 7 (he thought). Would the merchant Navy have enlisted a boy of 12 and 5 months or do you think he may have fibbed about his age to enlist.

[Linda Kable]

Hello Ivan, Thank you for the information. His birth certificate states he was born in Stepney on 27/04/1927. He was in an orphanage from about the age of 7 , he thought, however he was never told what happened to his father. His service record shows an enlistment date of 14/09/1939. Victor Watts 1 001.jpg

[Linda Kable]

It is possible the Arethusa which is mentioned was a training ship for boys who would start at around his age to train for the MN or RN I was 13 when I joined, training was up to two years which would make more sense with the discrepancy. Regards R.

Hi Roger, I think I may have worked out how to attach a copy of the service record I have been given (let me now if you can see it). The Atethusa is mentioned quite late in his record of service. He was fined the princely sum of 50 pounds for disciplinary action but no mention of what it was he got up to.Victor Watts 1 001.jpg