HMS Queen Eagle troop carrier and escort ship

[Leslie Holt]

Hi apparently my grandfather James William page born 22 Aug 1913 died 1993 served in the merchant navy on Royal Navy Ships. His number was R263528 and discharge A numbers R262411 - R263615 served 1939 to 1946 this is all the information I have been able to find. I'm trying to find what medals he was awarded and proof. Hope someone can help. He is on my ancestry account another reference is BT390/102/48 not sure what that means .

[j.sabourn]

If you have any of his ships names you may lessen the gap by looking up Google. If he was MN but serving on HM vessels there is a chance he was a member of a naval party . I found ref. to a naval party I was a member of on a very long list of such going back pre war , think if you google Royal Navy , Naval Party’s or similar you may find such a list. If he was RN reserve he will have been a regular at one time , and if RNVR or the wavy Navy would have been or could have been a person with a leaning towards ships and probably a landsman but the RN itself would be the best to enquire from I would imagine. JS

PS for speed of entry into the site just google Naval Party 1007. You will find the many vessels that came under naval control during the war years and up to 1997. JS

[Leslie Holt]

Thankyou

[Doc Vernon]

That is a Ref Number to the National Archives, where his Records are held.
You need to apply for the Documents . At this time i find no Medal Records for him. But there mat be ??
Cheers

Name: Page, James William . Service number: R263528 . Place of birth: Stepney . Date of... | The National Archives

Reference:	BT 390/102/48
Description:	Name: Page, James William. Service number: R263528. Place of birth: Stepney. Date of birth: 22 August 1913.
Date:	1939-1946
Held by:	The National Archives, Kew
Legal status:	Public Record(s)
Closure status:	Open

Futher info on his Seamans Pouch is here as well also need to apply for these!

Reference:	BT 372/489/111
Description:	R263528 PAGE J W 22/08/1913 LONDON
Date:	1913-1972
Held by:	The National Archives, Kew
Former reference in its original department:	R263528
Legal status:	Public Record(s)
Closure status:	Open Document, Open Description
Restrictions on use:	To access this record please contact the Enquiry Service (via our contact webpage or staff in the Reading Room)
Access conditions:	Open on Transfer
Record opening date:	20 February 2001

R263528 PAGE J W 22/08/1913 LONDON | The National Archives

HMS Queen Eagle.JPG

[Leslie Holt]

That is a Ref Number to the National Archives, where his Records are held.
You need to apply for the Documents . At this time i find no Medal Records for him. But there mat be ??
Cheers

Name: Page, James William . Service number: R263528 . Place of birth: Stepney . Date of... | The National Archives

Reference:	BT 390/102/48
Description:	Name: Page, James William. Service number: R263528. Place of birth: Stepney. Date of birth: 22 August 1913.
Date:	1939-1946
Held by:	The National Archives, Kew
Legal status:	Public Record(s)
Closure status:	Open

Futher info on his Seamans Pouch is here as well also need to apply for these!

Reference:	BT 372/489/111
Description:	R263528 PAGE J W 22/08/1913 LONDON
Date:	1913-1972
Held by:	The National Archives, Kew
Former reference in its original department:	R263528
Legal status:	Public Record(s)
Closure status:	Open Document, Open Description
Restrictions on use:	To access this record please contact the Enquiry Service (via our contact webpage or staff in the Reading Room)
Access conditions:	Open on Transfer
Record opening date:	20 February 2001

R263528 PAGE J W 22/08/1913 LONDON | The National Archives

HMS Queen Eagle.JPG

Thanks for the info very helpful

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Thankyou for the information. There is not much history to be found on the queen eagle

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Thanks for the information I will search all those things

[Ivan Cloherty]

Not much information on her except she was previously 'Empress Queen' and internet has information on Empress Queen but she was a paddle steamer built in 1897, where as the photo is one built circa 1930's and looks like an I O M Packet steamer judging from the rubbing bar around the hull and side ports in the hull. Looking at the mast and having only one mast navigation light is less than 150 feet in length, other than that I am not much help, sorry

[j.sabourn]

#6 Also looks like she has her port anchor hung off and cable on the buoy , and a slip wire to hold her on buoy for rehanging the anchor before slipping. JS

[vic mcclymont]

1940: Built by Ailsa Shipbuilding Co Lt., Troon (yard N.430) as the EMPRESS QUEEN for P. & A. Campbell & Co.
GRt 1781.
Dimensions (o.a) 85.9 x 11.5 meters.
Engines, 4 Steam Turbines Single Reduction geared t two screw shafts built by H& W, Belfast.
1940: Launched as EMPRESS QUEEN.
194: On completion of her trials requisitioned by the R.N. and converted to an Anti-Aircraft ship for the River Thames Area.
Armaments 4 x 2pounders A.A. guns, 16 x 0.303 guns, 5 x 0,5" A.A. guns, 4 x 3 rocket projectors.
1941: 5 -20mm A.A. guns, some of her original guns were removed.
1941: Renamed HMS QUEEN EAGLE
1943: Returned to her owners for MOWT as a Troopship and reverted to her original name EMPRESS QUEEN.
1946: Returned to owners control.
1947: Refitted at Ailsa Shipbuilders and returned to Bristol.
1952: Laid up.
1955: Sold to Kavounides Shipping Co., Greece and renamed PHILIPPOS.
1959: Re-engined as a motor ship 2SA, 2 x8cyl (365 x 575mm) iesel engines manufactured by Crossley Bros., MAnchester.
23.2.1972: Badly damaged by fire and beached at Keratsini near Piraeus.
6.3.1972: Refloated.
194: Broken up at Lavrion shipyard.
Vic

[Leslie Holt]

Thankyou yes the information is sketchy at most info I have seen suggests it was a ferry traveling between UK and France. It was seconded by the Navy to ferry troops and later fitted with guns to for escort duties.

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Great info thanks. Any way of finding out her ships crew?