Looking for help with Gleaner lost 1918

[Louise Blackmore]

Hello.
I wonder if anyone would be able to help me please.
I'm trying to find out info on my husband's great grandfather who, after a lot of searching, I have discovered was lost at sea presumed drowned on a vessel named Gleaner reg no 83507 on 6 November 1918.
I have been unable to find out what kind of vessel this was, under what circumstances it went missing, etc etc.
The chap in question is named Ernest Orlando Rickard who joined the Merchant Navy in 1893, was 'disposed of' on Jan 1 1914 after 20 years service but returned in 2 Jan 1914, although I can find no details of his service post Jan 1914. He was Master of the Netherton, then the William Shepherd (from the scuttling of which he escaped in April 1917) only to be drowned (presumed) on Gleaner in the dying weeks of the Great War.
Any help would be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Louise

[Keith Tindell]

Keep looking in Louise, a lot of guys here with a lot of knowledge and information, someone will come up with something i have no doubt, Keith Tindell

[DeepSea]

There is no Ernest Orlando Rickard recorded with the CWGC as being lost due to enemy action in 1918 and the only possible vessel I have found named Gleaner at this time was a fishing trawler. Can you give us some more details on where you have sourced your information please.

[Hugh]

Ernest Orlando Rickard, Master, was supposed drowned on 6th November 1918 from the schooner GLEANER official number 83507 Port of Registry Runcorn. Ship listed as missing.
Regards
Hugh

* Check his date and place of birth agree but I suspect this is his RNR service record - can be downloaded for £3.30. BT 377/7/40980

[Louise Blackmore]

Thanks so much for your replies.
I downloaded his service record from the National Archives (DOB 22/9/1869, Wadebridge, Cornwall) but it only goes up to his disposal on 1 Jan 14 although he was clearly still serving until his death in 1918 which I found on Deaths at Sea on Findmypast.
I was really wanting to know how I could establish what the Gleaner was doing (he had previously worked on colliers) and where it was lost - just any info on his last voyage really. Any thoughts on where else I can research?
Thanks again.
Louise

- - - Updated - - -

Sorry I should add that I was wondering whether it is likely that his service record post Jan 14 is recorded elsewhere? It seems strange that it is noted on his original service record that he returned on Jan 2nd but not his further service.
Any suggestions?
Thanks.
Louise

[Hugh]

Hello Louise,
Not much out there on this sailing vessel but the last Crew Agreement should be held at Kew in piece BT 99/3401 under her official number. May give a little more information about crew and voyage detail.

You mention that his RNR record only goes up until Jan,1914. He may have left the RNR then but I would have thought he would have been mobilised again at the outbreak of hostilities unless age was a factor, not sure.
There were 6 people lost from the vessel and I note that seaman Frank Frost RNR and Royal Marine L/cpl James Hughes are shown as lost 8th November 1918 and commemorated by the CWGC but as Billy will be able to tell you unfortunately the Merchant Navy had a stricter rule set applied to them than that of the military when it came to being commemorated by the CWGC sad as it is. Billy and others are still trying to make headway on this but it will be a very long process.

He may also have records held at the Fleet Air Arm Museum - Centre for Naval Aviation Records and Research

Regards
Hugh

[Louise Blackmore]

Thanks for this Hugh. I have now managed to find a newspaper cutting listing it as missing somewhere between Runcorn and St Valery en Caux. I think I am going to have to accept that this is as much as I will ever establish - it does seem that it was lost in a storm or some such as I'm sure it would have been claimed if if had been sunk by enemy action or perhaps not?
I would like to know why his service record notes that he returned the day after his disposal after 20 years service but does not then go on to list his further service. He is commemorated on the war memorial in Wadebridge and I believe there is a headstone in the churchyard at the church in St Breock. Did they ever find his body? Or is this just a commemoration to him? Hmm, don't know. I suspect a trip to Cornwall could be on the cards at some point.
Thanks again.
L

[Don Rafferty]

"Ernest Orlando Rickard who joined the Merchant Navy in 1893, was 'disposed of' on Jan 1 1914 after 20 years service but returned in 2 Jan 1914,"


'Disposed of', seems to be a strange turn of phrase when referring to a person - more suited to a vessel.

[Captain Kong]

Here is aphoto of the Schooner GLEANER. This must be the one..
.
. ALSO ANOTHER GLEANER

Cheers
Brian

[Tracey Jago]

Hi Louise,

I too am interested in finding more info regarding the gleaner 83507. Frank Frost was also on the boat. He is my great uncle and i am currently searching for information for my family tree. Please can you give me the reference for the newspaper article you found?

Many thanks,

Tracey