researching Danvers Williams

[Theresa Watts]

I am trying to find information on my grandfather Danvers Nicholas Williams. I think he joined the merchant navy after serving in WW1. He had a job offer from Elders and Ffyes Ltd, Avonmouth.
I do know he grew up in South Africa and certainly retired to Fish Hoek near Cape Town where he died in about 1962
If there are any crew lists or other information about his service years, I would love to see them
Thanks in advance to anyone who could help
Theresa Watts

[gray_marian]

Hi Theresa, Was your grandfather born in South Africa and what year?

[Doc Vernon]

Theresa
I think we started on this before!
What happened to your replies? None that I can see!
Cheers

http://www.merchant-navy.net/forum/e...-relative.html

[gray_marian]

Presume you have this already Theresa?

Excerpt from West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser 12 August 1915

Williams—Allen.— At Torpoint, July 31, Danvers N. Williams, chief steward R.N., of Cap** Town, S. Africa, to Carnation Allen, of Priory, St. Austell.

From Find My Past

First name(s) DANVERS N
Last name WILLIAMS
Marriage quarter 3
Marriage year 1915
Registration month -
MarriageFinder™ DANVERS N WILLIAMS married
CARNATION ALLEN
Spouse's last name ALLEN
District ST. GERMANS
District number -
County Cornwall
Country England

From Ancestry.com

Volume 5CDeath of Brother
20 Sep 1917 • Ypres, Belgium
Thomas Ralph Williams (1885–1917)

Death of Father
11 Jun 1918 • Cape Town, South Africa
Charles Danvers Williams (1853–1918)


Birth of Son
07 Jul 1920 • Bristol, Somerset
Charles Alan Danvers Williams (1920–1985)He died on January 16, 1985, in Sydney, New South Wales, at the age of 64.

2nd son b[1922-]may still be alive so have not added his name.

Military
Danvers Nicholas Williams served in the military in 1917 when he was 28 years old.
Age: 27
1917 [This is the one Hugh referred to]

Nothing as yet re his MN career

[gray_marian]

Theresa on Ancestry there are three family trees, pertaining to your Danvers. Two imply he was born in Cape Town, the third says Surrey? All the other details match re wife & sons, WW1 etc. Only document I found which refers to a "promise" of future employment with Elders & Fyffes Ltd at Avonmouth Docks Bristol?[smudged] states that he was a member of the Cook & Stewards Union pre war. Cannot fathom why if he returned to MN after the war he is not listed on any ships?? Was there any verbal conformation from older rellies to suggest he did?

Re Hugh's post, at Kew it states:
Cape Town

Reference: BT 351/1/151212
Description:
Medal Card of Williams, Danvers Nicholas
Place of Birth: Cape Town
Date of Birth: 1889
Date: [1914-1925]
Held by: The National Archives, Kew
Legal status: Public Record
Language: English
Creator: Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen, 1872-1992
Closure status: Open Document, Open Description

[Doc Vernon]

Get much the same on Find My Past Marian
Thanks