Looking for Dads service information

[Anita Appleby]

My Dad, James William Mckenna, was born in 1920 and served in the British Merchant Navy during WW2. The only information I have is that he married my mother in Malta in 1941 and at some time was a prisoner of war. Can anyone tell me where I could find any information regarding his service?

[DeepSea]

If he was born in Middlesbrough on the date shown, this could be a copy of his Seaman's Pouch held at Kew held in file BT 372/783/86 (see link for viewing and ordering options)

R320736 MCKENNA J W 04/01/1920 MIDDLESBROUGH
1913 to 1940 Merchant Seaman’s Pouches

These records are held at the The national Archives in their classification BT 372 Central Register of Seaman’s Records (“Pouches”). These are held in numerical order of the individual seaman’s discharge book (Seaman’s) number.

These pouches were a central repository for seaman’s documents; these would comprise of the many documents that the sailor would have had to submit to the Registry of Shipping over the whole of his career and copies of those documents issued to him. These would comprise of Applications for Discharge Books (including photographs of the seaman), Sea Service records, records of certificates issued etc. The Pouches can sometimes include records cards extracted from the Forth Register of Seaman’s Service.

(Please not a lot of these files contain little information and are a bit hit and miss, but worth checking)

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/c...29&image1.y=12

His full service records hould be in the following at Kew:

BT 382. The Fifth Register of Seaman’s Service 1941 to 1972.

Records of individual Merchant Seamen's sea service details are held in alphabetical surname order. These details include the following information: Name of seaman, Date and place of birth, Discharge (Seaman’s) book number, Rank, Details of the ships on which he served. These include:

Name of ship and official number, date of engagement (Joining ship), Date of discharge (Leaving ship), whether ship was a foreign going of home trade vessel, and records in some cases National Insurance contributions. Details shown in these records are similar to those contained in an individual seaman's discharge book.

His file should be in BT 382/1111 covering the surnames "McKaig C C to MacKay Donald" (Again click link for viewing and ordering options. If unable to visit Kew in person or to have anyone go on your behalf will cost around £45.00 for the archives to do this for you)

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/c...F=bt382%2F1111

I have nothing on him held at the main Merchant Navy PoW Camp Milag Nord, nor is he listed as being repatriated from this camp. If he was captured during the North African Camapaign then most MN prisoners were released when the Germans were defeated in North Africa. Then there is the possibility he was a prisoner of the Japanese. You should be able to determine from his service file the ship he was taken prisoner from and then I can point you in the right direction to where these files are kept

[Tony Morcom]

Hi Jim
The lady in question has not logged into the site since she registered in Mar 2011. However assuming her email address is still active you could try contacting her by using this link. I hope things work out for you.

[Hugh]

Hello Rachelle,

His seaman's pouch is here: BT 372/783/86

His CRS 10 service record should be held here: BT 382/1111

I cannot see any PoW files for him online or in my records but you should get some clues if you obtain the two files above from the National Archvies, Kew.

Regards
Hugh

[Frederick Lacey]

For info, Details for purchase of B & D Certs if required.

Birth.
James William McKenna. mmn. Kennerley. Qrt. Jan-Feb-Mar. 1920. District. Middlesbrough. Vol.9d. Page.1383.

Death.
James William McKenna. Born. 4th January.1920. Died June 1980. age at death. 60years. District. Cleveland. Vol.3. page.1965.

F.

[Frederick Lacey]

Hi Rach, I don't know if you have done this, but have you been on the Members List.

Jim Mckenna (as printed small K) is on there on Page 7.

First message is on 21st September 2012 and last message is 24th October 2012.

You could click on send Email or send Private Message and send info in the hope you will get a reply,
if not you could contact Vernon who I'm sure will help with contact details, address etc. if this is allowed ?.

Fred.

[Doc Vernon]

By request I have deleted all of Rachelle's posts
Thank You