Martin Blanchfield BEM

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Hi Deasy.
Here is some history for you of the ships you listed.
British Lord---Bombed April 1941
British Officer mined in the Tyne 1940
British Viscount Torpedoed 3rd April 1941
British Engineer Sunk by mine June 1944
British Mariner Torpedoed Oct 20 1941
British Progress Torpedoed by E boat Nov 1943
British Ardour Torpedoed April 1943
British Gunner Torpedoed feb 1941.
Cheers Des Ps mistake with the flag

[Deasy]

Thanks Des, just reinforces the fact that the MN was an incredibly dangerous occupation. I have requested Martins pouch from Kew and hopefully will know soon if he was on any of those ships you listed when they were attacked. Even if he wasn't, he must have known many who died or were wounded.

[Hugh]

I have requested Martins pouch from Kew and hopefully will know soon if he was on any of those ships you listed when they were attacked.

Just to let you know they won't send the CRS 10 (BT 382) with the pouch (BT 372). The pouch won't list all his ships from 1941.
The pouch is to a named person so they will send it to you but the CRS 10 lists up to 60 other names so unless things have changed at Kew, you wont get it.

Regards
Hugh

[Deasy]

Hi Hugh, thanks for that information. It's useful because I'm coming to the conclusion I need to get on a plane and do this myself at the National Archives. Kew have been very efficient coming back to me since the day before yesterday with their research constraints and costs. Am currently in negotiations with my wife about a marital visa to London for a night and two days research at the end of the month.

I'd like to ask you a stupid question though Hugh. The list of ships you sent me initially suggested Martin was on ships almost exclusively named "british" something. Should have been obvious but it led me to believe Martin was in the employ of the same company for almost his entire life.

I found out (and all you guys would know this I'm guessing) they were all ships owned by the British Tanker Company, the forerunner of what we now know as British Petroleum (BP). I did a couple of google searches and found that BP's archive resides in Warwick at the University of Coventry.

I emailed the archive and asked if they had the crew agreements on record, obviously giving Martin's details. My stupid question is do you know if they have these lists and if they do, will they impart that information to the public. Has anyone tried this before? Thanks

[Hugh]

Am currently in negotiations with my wife about a marital visa to London for a night and two days research at the end of the month.

That would be the best bet and go armed with as much information prior to your visit as you can.

I'd like to ask you a stupid question though Hugh. The list of ships you sent me initially suggested Martin was on ships almost exclusively named "british" something. Should have been obvious but it led me to believe Martin was in the employ of the same company for almost his entire life.

I found out (and all you guys would know this I'm guessing) they were all ships owned by the British Tanker Company, the forerunner of what we now know as British Petroleum (BP). I did a couple of google searches and found that BP's archive resides in Warwick at the University of Coventry.

Yes, you are right - some seamen stayed with the same company all the way through - others took a berth where ever they could. Also the list you have is mainly pre-war, and things may have changed to the extent that he didn't always have a choice. My guess though, especially as he was on BRITISH STATESMAN, is that the majority of his WW2 ships will be with BTC.

I emailed the archive and asked if they had the crew agreements on record, obviously giving Martin's details. My stupid question is do you know if they have these lists and if they do, will they impart that information to the public. Has anyone tried this before? Thanks

My guess is that they may have crew lists of post war ships but probably not the actual crew agreements [there is a difference] which for the WW2 period are held at Kew. The first rule of research is don't rule anything in or out - if you don't ask you won't ever know so ask as many questions as you can, send emails to anyone who will listen - they won't always reply to you but if one does that may be all you need.

Regards
Hugh

[Brenda Shackleton]

hello Deasy,
If you know what documents you want from Kew let them know in advance and they will have them ready for you- saves a lot of time. It doesn't matter how many you ask for.
Also, there are desks with cameras so you can photograph documents and send them directly to your computer OR just use your camera to take pics.
You will need ID to get a Reader's ticket b4 you access the documents. I guess you would have your passport with you.
Kew are very helpful but I repeat, if you know what you want, then ask beforehand.
regards
Brenda

[Doc Vernon]

Hello Brenda
Yes as you so rightly say they are very helpful there at Kew.remembering when I went there whilst on my Holiday quite some time ago now, and without a prior appointment, i got all the help I wanted by some really good staff!
Cheers

[Deasy]

Thanks to everyone who has responded about Martin. Right, I'm off to Kew. Might take a few weeks but I'll figure it out and report back.

All the best

[Doc Vernon]

Was he (Martin Blanchfield ) in the Irish Army at all around 1922


Last name
Blanchfield

Age
22

Birth year
1900

Year
1922

Place
Bandon

County
Cork

Country
Ireland

Page number
18

Image link
http://census.militaryarchives.ie/pd...nd_Page_18.pdf

Archive
Military Archives

Record set
Irish Army Census 1922

Category
Armed forces & conflict

Subcategory
Regimental & service records

Collections from
Ireland

[Doc Vernon]

First name(s)
Martin

Last name
Blanchfield

Event year
1918

Birth year
1899

Birth place
Ireland

Birth county/country
Ireland

Birth date
29 ? 1899

Discharge number
475374
-

Identity certificate number
475374

Card type
CR10

Archive
The National Archives

Series
BT350

Date range
1918-1921

Record set
Britain, merchant seamen, 1918-1941

Category
Education & work

Subcategory
Merchant navy & maritime

C