Looking for information about Captain W H Stein

[Mrs Jane de Lacey Munday]

Hi - I have just joined the site so that I could respond to a particular thread which included details of my father and his experiences in Murmansk whilst commanding the SS Empire Starlight.

He died in 1986 aged 80, however he never spoke of his wartime experiences, and I would dearly love to find out more about him and his Merchant Navy career. I am interest in finding out which ships he served on and later Captained, and really any info that will give me a picture of this very private man. I understand that he went to sea aged 14 'on the tall ships' but that is about it.

Could anyone advise me as to how or where to find out more info. Being of Danish decent, his actual name was William Heinrick Stein....which he understandably changed to William Henry Stein during the war.

Regards and Thanks in Anticipation

[Ray Buck]

This is a little to help your research
William Henry Stein Signed on the “Fort Rampart” aged 38 as Master , signed on in Newcastle 8th October 1942 the ship arrived in New York on the 28th March 1943 having sailed from Port Alberni

19th January 1940 he signed on the “Rockpool” in Cardiff as Master the ship arrived in Bridport Connecticut on the 23rd February 1940 having sailed from Cardiff

30th July 1943 in South Shields he signed on the “Fort Coulonge” as Master the ship arrived in New York on the 5th October 1943 having sailed from Gibraltar

He was 1st Mate on the “Edenhurst” 21st June 1930signed on in West Hartlepool and again on the same ship January 1931

This could be his medal entitlement
The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Search Results

Ray

[Hugh]

Hello Jane and welcome,
I have attached below his Lloyd's War Medal for Bravery at Sea citation.

Regards
Hugh

[Mrs Jane de Lacey Munday]

Thank you both for your quick responses.

With regard to the ships that you found, I am to assume that between those ships there would have been other ships - the details of which I would find elsewhere, or would the periods in between have been time serviing 'on land' or would he have been 'between jobs'. Sorry - I don't know the correct terminology.

You have certainly given me something to start with and for that I am grateful.

The citation I have read before as it heads the chapter in a book about the SS Empire Starlight - but thank you for finding it for me.

Regards to both

[Hugh]

Jane,

It may be worthwhile visiting or contacting the London Metropolitan Archives they now hold Lloyd's Captains Registers which used to be kept at the Guildhal Library, London. Depending when he obtained his certificate of competency, will determine which files you need to look at.

Have a read of this document - it's a bit heavy but will give you an idea. capreg

Regards
Hugh

[Ray Buck]

As William Henry Stein was at sea in 1920’s it may be that there is earlier records CR1, CR2, & CR10 in the Southampton Archive
Central index of Merchant Seamen - Southampton City Council

Give as much detail as possible DoB and where born , Full Name , and Dis A No an address if available


Ray