Tribute to my Grandfather.

[MatthewChilds]

Hello everyone.
I am new to this site so i apologise if this is placed in the wrong area.
My grandfather served in the army on a few ships, a few weeks ago i decided i was going to make a tribute frame for him. Unfortunately, he passed away just over a week ago. While this saddens my heart it has only made my resolve stronger. I am trying to search for details on the ships he served on, how long he was there ect... Can anyone tell me where i can find the details, or on the odd chance anyone knew him, his name was John Norman Childs, however, most people called him Norman.
Thankyou in advance for any help anyone can give.
Regards

[Mike Hall]

mathew.
a good place to see loads of ships and print for free,is as follows
www.photoship.co.uk
it might some of us if you could name his ships

regards
mike

[DeepSea]

Hello Matthew,

Are you talking WWII he served with the army at sea. If so then he would of been part of the Royal Artillery Maritime Regt.

[MatthewChilds]

Thankyou for your replies.
The only name i know of at the moment was the tripalatatia (or something like that) i have tried searching for it on various sites and i never get any details. Is there anywhere i could use his army/soldiers number to find details?
Sorry, yes it was during WWII. I have recently been informed that he was possibly involved in exodus '47.
Unfortunatly my grandfather didn't like to talk about any of it, so details are somewhat limited.
Thanks again

[Keith at Tregenna]

If nothing else will make interesting reading etc, bit pushed for time, glance in when I can, bit pushed at the mo..... Will catch up with all properly ASAP. looking in when pos and wil always attempt to help.

Just wondered if the ship you mentioned that he may have served upon, may have been WW1, THEN THIS MAY BE HER - Interested and now intrigued K.

The SS Tripolitania ran aground at Loe Bar on Boxing Day 1912. This steamer could not make any headway against a fierce gale and was grounded. Attempts to refloat her were continued for nearly two years, but were unsuccessful. She was broken up there on the Bar.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHH1g...eature=related

[Ray Buck]

Matthew
There is a ships manifest for the “British Progress” which arrived New York 23rd August 1943.
A John Childs aged 18 had signed on 5th August 1943 in Greenock as a Deck Hand (which during the war years generally referred to DEMS gunners ) this was his first voyage, he was 5’ – 9” in height and 142 lbs, apparently he had a scar on palm of the hand, for ID he gave his Naval pay book, there were Army personnel also aboard as Deck hands (6 Navy and 5 Army) so may be a transcribing error
Ray

[Gulliver]

HelloMatthew

1/.If as you intimated that your grandfather may have been involved in Exodus 47,then he may well have been reluctant to talk about it,as you say.
It was a very shameful post-war episode in British history.
　
"...........and arrived at Palestine shores on July 18. The British Royal Navy cruiser Ajax and a convoy of destroyers trailed the ship from very early in its voyage, and finally boarded it some 20 nautical miles (40km) from shore. The boarding was challenged by the passengers (the ship was in international waters where the Royal Navy had no jurisdiction), and so the British soldiers used force. Three shipmates, including 1st mate William Bernstein, a U.S. sailor from San Francisco, died as a result of bludgeoning and several dozen others were injured before the ship was taken over.
Due to the high profile of the Exodus 1947 emigration ship, it was decided by the British government that the emigrants were to be deported back to France. Foreign Secretary Ernest Bevin suggested this, and the request was relayed to General Sir Alan Cunningham, High Commissioner for Palestine,[ who agreed with the plan after consulting the Navy.Before then, intercepted would-be immigrants were placed in internment camps in Cyprus,a British colony. This new policy was meant to be a signal to both the Jewish community and the European countries which assisted immigration that whatever they sent to Palestine would be sent back to them."

Shunted all over Europe the refugees were eventually taken back to Hamburg,where,in the country they had fled from and where millions of their families had been murdered in the concentration camps,they were interned in displacement camps (a concentration camp by another name).....by the British.

http://www.insideout.org/documentaries/exodus47/default.asp

　
2/.
The ss Tripolitania was mentioned That's a greatYou-Tube video of a Tripolitania by Keith above! BUT If it was in WWII,then it would have been this one pictured below,built by the British in 1918 (Official No.142669) sold to the Italians and in service from 1926 to 1962 with them.Picture just in case it's the one that you seek.


http://www.photoship.co.uk/JAlbum%20Ships/Old%20Ships%20T/slides/Tripolitania-01.html


My Regards
Gulliver
　
　


　
　
　

[Doc Vernon]

Hello Matthew


Would just like to give you a warm Welcome to this very good site!
Here you will find lots of info,good Crew and with luck also find a few old Shipmates!
So sit back,relax and just enjoy the trip!
Hope we will have you here for a long time!
A site truly worthy of the British Merchant Navy!
Cheers

Can you tell us his Place of Birth and DOB this may assist in getting more info on him!
It wasnt Surry was it!
Cheers

[Jimmy Scougall]

Hello Mathew
I sailed with a John Childs on a B.P. tanker the British Curlew,he was the bosun. This was in 1973 i dont know if this your grandad,if it is your grandad i can tell you he was one of the best bosun's i sailed with,a really great guy.Hope this helps you a bit, all the best. Jimmy Scougall

[Matthew Childs]

Hello everyone.

My name is Matt and i have joined this website to hopefully find some answers.
My late grandfather served in the merchant navy in WW2 and unfortunately died back in 2010, i have since tried looking into some information and have had little luck. I have also recently started a commemorative tattoo but have hit a wall as i need some more info to continue.

The only ship i know for certain that my grandfather served on was the SS Exodus, i have a heap of his old books but can't read his writing.
Does anyone know an easy way to find out his info? I live in Australia and he remained in England so it makes it a bit harder and google doesn't come up with any decent answers (and they all want lots of money!)

Also, for my tattoo i was thinking of having something similar to dog tags with his service number, but have been told he wouldn't have worn them. Does anyone know what, if anything, he would have worn? or even if he would have had any markings on his uniform?

Any help anyone can give will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks everyone in advance