Hello

[Ros Fitz]

Hi Everyone! I've been struggling with a part of my family history for a number of years and then came across this site last night. I know nothing about the merchant navy and do not understand the CR1 card (which is the only thing in my relative's seamans pouch).

On the front it says 'not at present employed at sea' and he was an 'asst std'.

On the reverse of the card it says....'unfilled continuous certificate of discharge for the following reason: 1st issue' and I cannot figure out what that means. The date of discharge was March 1946, so does that mean my relative left the merchant navy for good?

The stamp is from M.M.O in Southampton, so would my relative have been there in person do you think? (He was born in Scotland). I've just no idea what happened to him from 1946...this is the sum total of information I have on him, besides his birth certificate and possibly a photo.

Rumour had it that he went down with HMS Hood, but seeing that that event happened before 1946, I don't think its possible after seeing this card.

If someone could clarify what I'm seeing on this CR1 I would greatly appreciate it!

Kind regards, Ros

[j.sabourn]

The abbreviation stands for assistant steward. MMO is Mercantile Marine Office. You will no doubt get further information from different members on here who are well versed in tracing people. Best of luck in your search. Merry Xmas John S. PS Sounds as though the book was the first book and had no discharges in, so may not have been at sea at all. However to reach an Assistant steward rating would normally have gone through the boys ratings first that is cabin or galley boy. Maybe I have misread. JS

[Captain Kong]

Hi Ros,
send in his name. date of birth, any Discharge book Number and any other information, the more the better.
Be patient these things take time, and keep looking in. you will get answers soon.
Cheers
Brian

[Ros Fitz]

Thank you, John, for your response which sheds some light for me. Merry Christmas, to you, too

[Ros Fitz]

Thank you for your advice, Brian. Here are his details:
Norman Fitzpatrick
b. 1923 Dundee
Discharge no. R238840
There is an unemployment insurance number but I don't know how useful this is. Where it says 'local office' it says 'none'.
Best wishes
Ros

[Captain Kong]

Hi Ros,
thanks for that information,
Please be patient, the lads who do that research will be back, it is weekend and things slow down then . I am sure you will get all the answers you need. Keep looking in.
Cheers
Brian

[Doc Vernon]

Hello Ros
Well you have his Seamans Book there is that correct?
Anyway here is the Link for his Pouch which may assist,but think getting his CRS10 will be far better as it would contain a lot more info!
I will have a look to see if it is still in the Archives!
Cheers

Welcome to the site!
As said Weekend here so may wait till Monday now!

R238840 FITZPATRICK N 01/01/1923 DUNDEE | The National Archives

[Doc Vernon]

PS Cannot locate his CRS10 at this time,so possibly its not there or lost?
But Hugh may come up with it as he is very good at this too!
Cheers

Happy Xmas and a great New Year too!

Capture Fitzpatrick.JPG

TNA_MSEA_BT349_09_00_090071.jpg

[Ron B Manderson]

welcome to the site Ros.
I am sure the info will appear.
Ron the batcave

[Ros Fitz]

Thank you, Doc Vernon. Yes, I have the copy of the CR1 from the National Archives - there was only the one card in there.
Thanks for the copies you attached, too.
Merry Christmas to you!
Ros

- - - Updated - - -

Thank you, Ron.
Best wishes to you
Ros