Lapland (1942) Baltic Type Carrier - COMNO

[Gulliver]

Don't know if any of these may be the Leeds as there is no info at the site just Pics!
Cheers

http://www.photoship.co.uk/JAlbum%20...s/Leeds-02.jpg

http://www.photoship.co.uk/JAlbum%20...s/Leeds-03.jpg

http://www.photoship.co.uk/JAlbum%20...s/Leeds-04.jpg This I feel is too Modern though!

Yes Vernon,looking through Photoships site can be a veritable minefield(if you forgive the awful pun).
None of those are the LEEDS that could be the one required
Shown are the 1959 short sea coaster LEEDS of 1959 operated by Associated Humber Lines and a Cypriot registered cargo ship LEEDS ,formerly City of Lichfield built 1961-built way after the Second World War.



My money is still on it being the CITY OF LEEDS (from that obscure entry in his Discharge docs.)

[Stefan Hay]

Well thanks to all of the leads and information on this thread, I've made incredible progress in piecing together Grandad's WW2 experiences. Firstly in relation to the SS Lapland:

SS LAPLAND, O.N.16703: George Williams served on this ship as an Able Seaman from 24/05/44 – 06/10/44. The SS Lapland was commandeered for COMNO Special Operations as a support ship for the D-Day landings (Mass Invasion of the Continent Campaign). There is very little detailed information available, but the SS Lapland was in Weymouth, one of the main staging points for the invasion, on 5th July 1944 when lots of ships left to deliver troops and equipment for the main landings the following day. On 22nd July the SS Lapland was still anchored off ‘UTAH’ Beach in Normandy, (coming under enemy aircraft fire), and eventually docked at the recently liberated Cherbourg on the 28th July. Information obtained from George Williams’ CRS1 and CRS2 from COMNO Pouch held at the National Archives in Kew and National Archives File BT381/3037. Any further information would be greatly appreciated :-)

It transpires that he did not serve on a ship called Leeds of City of Leeds. The scribbled entry in his blue book was actually the SS Lesto O.N. 14070 and I am still researching that one. He would have been on board 1945.

Apparently he also served on the SS Stanhope O.N.142279 definitely end of 1944 - perhaps early 1945.

Also on the Runswick O.N. 161016 09/08/43 - 29/02/44.

Thanks again for the help!

[DeepSea]

Convoy movements for the Runswick for the time he was on board. Info. courtesy of the convoyweb.org.

Arrived on the Clyde, Jul 23, 1943
Clyde, Aug 27, 1943 Independent Penarth, Aug 30, 1943
Penarth, Sep 2, 1943 WP.395 (M Haven - Portsmouth) Solent, Sep 5, 1943
Solent, Sep 10, 1943 PW.SP.1 (Portsmouth - M Haven) Barry, Sep 12, 1943
Independent Penarth, Sep 14, 1943
Barry, Sep 14, 1943 Independent Barry, Sep 25, 1943
Penarth, Sep 25, 1943 Independent
Barry, Oct 4, 1943 Independent Milford Haven, Oct 6, 1943
Milford Haven, Oct 6, 1943 OS.56KM (Liverpool - Convoy Split)
KMS.29G (ex OS 56/KMS 29 - Gibraltar) Passed Gibraltar, Oct 20, 1943
Passed Gibraltar, Oct 20, 1943 KMS.29 (Gibraltar - Port Said) Bizerta, Oct 24, 1943
Bizerta, Dec 23, 1943 GUS.25 (Port Said - Hampton Rds) Gibraltar, Dec 28, 1943
Gibraltar, Jan 6, 1944 Independent Melilla, Jan 7, 1944
Melilla, Jan 14, 1944 Independent Gibraltar, Jan 15, 1944
Gibraltar, Jan 22, 1944 MKS.37G (Gibraltar - r/v WITH SL 146)
SL.146MK (r/v SL 146/MKS 37 - Liverpool) St Michaels, Jan 29, 1944
St Michaels, Feb 14, 1944 SL.148MK (r/v SL 148/MKS 39 - Liverpool) Loch Ewe, Feb 24, 1944
WN.549 (Loch Ewe - Methil) Methil, Feb 27, 1944
Methil, Feb 28, 1944 FS.1376 (Methil - Southend) Tyne, Feb 29, 1944

[Stefan Hay]

Thanks DeepSea

[Stefan Hay]

Grandad served in the MN, continuously from 1939 -1946. He did Atlantic convoys during the battle of the Atlantic, sailed along the coast of Africa, was involved in the D-Day landings, was commended for brave conduct and mentioned in despatches. Can anybody tell me if he would have been entitled to any medals? I can't find any records at Kew. Thanks.

[Hugh]

Yes, he would be entitled to campaign medals. I don't see a medal file for him, that can mean he or his next of kin never claimed them or they were issued but records of his entitlement have not survived.
First thing you should do is contact the Registry of Shipping and Seamen at Cardiff - now called the Maritime & Coastguard.
If they confirm that no entitlement is with their office then the onus will be on his next of kin to prove that entitlement. This will mean providing them with time and area evidence. This can be copies of his discharge book and movement cards of all of his qualifying ships. Failing that a copy of his CRS 10, movement cards or any other evidence such as crew agreements etc. I have been down that road many times so just ask if you need any help.

A merchant seaman would normally be awarded a Commendation rather than a Mention in Despatches - they are the same thing but it would only be a MID if his ship was acting at the time in direct support of the RN.
Regards
Hugh

[Stefan Hay]

Thanks Hugh,
I'll get on to it.
Regards,
Stefan

[Stefan Hay]

Hi Hugh,
I sent a letter to MCA in Cardiff based on the information I've collated. I now have copies of everything from Kew. I think Grandad is eligible for the war medal with oak leaf, Africa Star, Atlantic Star with Germany / France clasp and 1939 - 1945 Star. I had to write hard copy as I was unable to find any online contacts. Hoping to hear soon, thanks for all of you help.
Kind regards,
Stefan

[Doc Vernon]

Hope that you will get all that he was entitled to Stefan,i know how it feels when you do,as I did similar and got my Fathers Medals it was so good!
Cheers

[Hugh]

Sorry Stefan,
I thought I posted the address details including email and phone.
Hopefully they will deal with it now - keep us informed as to how it goes.

Regards
Hugh