Hello

[Valerie Moseley]

My name is Valerie Moseley, I joined this site to try and find out information about my Uncle, Alexander Charles Walker (Sandy) (1937 - 2012) he was a Captain in the Merchant Navy. He, I believe joined the Merchant Navy when he was 16 which would be around 1953, and based in the Far East. For the life of me I cannot remember which line he was with, but I seem to remember the word, Cathay.

I, like Sandy was born and brought up in Broughty Ferry, Dundee, Scotland. I never actually met my uncle until I was 9 which was in 1972 and when his Ship (I believe) the MV Jollity docked at Europort in Rotterdam, by then he was a Captain. He came home a couple of times after the initial meeting, then he disappeared until we found him in The Seamans Rest Mission, East India Dock Road, East London in 1998. By then, sadly he was suffering from Alzheimer's.

It is the intevening 25 years I am trying to find out about, we just do not know what happened to him. I know this is a long shot, but if anybody remembers him, please feel free to get in touch.

Kind regards,

Valerie.

[John F Collier]

Hi Valerie, Welcome to our world, I'm sorry to hear of Sandy's sad ending to what must have been a good life, the site
is very quiet at the moment being the weekend and with some members away. There are some very knowledgeable
members here, and if at all possible I'm sure they will try to help if they can, but as you say it is a long shot. Wish you good luck with your quest. Best wishes, John F

[Valerie Moseley]

Thank you very much John, very kind of you x

[John F Collier]

Hang in there Valerie, I've seen some good results from difficult searches, we have our very own "Miss Marples" and a
few "Sherlock Holmes" so you never know your luck. Best wishes, John F

[Hugh]

Hello and welcome Valerie,

His Seaman's Pouch is held at The National Archives Kew in piece BT 372/1694/96 This file can be a bit hit or miss but usually contains an id photo. His full service record up until 1972 should be held at Kew in piece BT 382/3006 best obtained by visit to Kew or via a researcher. Sadly, there will be no records after 1972. Hope that helps.

Regards
Hugh

[Ken Trehearne]

Welcome Valerie. I can reiterate what John has told you for there are certainly members on site who seem to have knowledge and access to records I had never heard of.
Good luck anyway.
KenT

[Valerie Moseley]

Hello and welcome Valerie,

His Seaman's Pouch is held at The National Archives Kew in piece BT 372/1694/96 This file can be a bit hit or miss but usually contains an id photo. His full service record up until 1972 should be held at Kew in piece BT 382/3006 best obtained by visit to Kew or via a researcher. Sadly, there will be no records after 1972. Hope that helps.

Regards
Hugh

That is great Hugh, thank you so much for that. I had no idea where to even start looking for records. Thank you once again x

[j.sabourn]

Valerie your Uncle was born the same year as me, went to sea the same year. His dis. number would probably be in the region of similar numbers to mine R 57****. I knew a number of Walkers but they don't fit your Uncles prophile. There will no doubt be someone who will remember. Best Regards JWS

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Hi Valerie.
Welcome to the site sorry to hear about the sad end to your uncle, I hope you get some info on his sea service. If you have any names of ships he was on, example was his discharge book with him when he was found in the seaman's mission. If you have any ships names post them, it will help.
Cheers Des'

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[j.sabourn]

Valerie, there is a Cathay shipping company, if you just Google it, it comes up. Regards JWS