Searching for Dad's History

[auAlan]

Hello,

My dad Alan Frederick Freeman from Australia (passed away around 12 years ago) was a M.S engineer for a few ships throughout World War II from 12/01/1942 (19 years old). He didn't like to talk about the war and never did "celebrate" it.

His ships included;
M.V. Rudderman
M.V. Tillerman - 2nd Engineer
Empire Credric
Empire Rest
Forland
Maloja
Il De France - North USA & Atlantic for six months
Idomeneus
Baron Elphinstone
Doryssa - 3rd Engineer. Atlantic run, taken off at Madagascar for an appendectomy, whilst ashore the ship was sunk - not many survived. He was then transported to Durban and paid off to wait for the next ship. If it wasn't for his appendectomy I may not be here now!

Last ship: Dawn Elphonstone

So I'm just searching around for more information.

Regards,
Alan.

[DeepSea]

If you can give us the dates he served on each vessel, will be able to identify which convoys he sailed in.

There is a copy of his Seamans Pouch at Kew found at the link below. These files are hit and miss and sometimes contain little information, but usually a photo from the individuals ID Card.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/c...44&image1.y=11

There is also a copy of his medal file at the link below and can be downloaded to your computer for £3.50. Although the date of birth is incorrect in this file it is confirmed as his by the same Discharge Book No. from his Seamans Pouch

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/d...&resultcount=1

[auAlan]

Thanks for the info DeepSea.

I don't know the dates he served on each vessel however I will endevour to find this out.

Kind Regards.

[DeepSea]

You would need to access his CRS-10 service file at Kew. This will list the dates of joining and leaveing each ship. His file should be in BT 382/611 covering the surnames "Frati J B to Freeman G M"

If you can visit Kew in person you can look up these files free of charge. If not go to the following link for viewing and ordering options.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/c...EF=bt382%2F611

If you decide to order quote his full name and Discharge Book No.

Attached is an example of a CRS-10 record