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Thread: Please help me surprise 93yr old grandma with info on her dad

  1. #11
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    Default Re: Please help me surprise 93yr old grandma with info on her dad

    Quote Originally Posted by Hugh View Post
    Hi Jessica,
    There is quite a lot of information on the cards (ship numbers and dates) and I am sure the guys here will help you transpose them in due course. You could also do it yourself via the CLIP site https://www.crewlist.org.uk/data/vesselsnum

    Firstly a word about the Fourth Register of Seamen. The cards contain mistakes and omissions so what you see is not every ship or every voyage he did. The CR 10 card only came into force between 1918-1921 and again there may have been omissions or he could only have had the one ship during this time. You would need to dive deeper using known crew listings to have a complete record.
    I have found 3 CR1 cards and importantly his CR2 - all attached below [I am assuming the site owners and moderators are happy to have this copyrighted content shown]. This cards shows foreign voyages, in his case up until the mid 1930's, ships names being replaced by official numbers.

    His WW2 Merchant Navy service record called a CRS 10 is held at Kew in piece BT 382/1992
    https://discovery.nationalarchives.g...ls/r/C10990216 This file is held in a block of up to 60 other names so is more expensive to obtain on line. If you can visit Kew, you can copy it for free or if you have a researcher who would copy it for you. If unable to use any of those the last resort would be to request a paid search for the file – https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/...a-paid-search/ I can tell you this would cost about £52 unfortunately which is really expensive for this document. However, It would list all his ships including ports of engagement and discharge from the year 1941 until leaving the service.
    His WW2 medal file is here: BT 395/1/106797 - https://discovery.nationalarchives.g...ils/r/D4371990 This can be downloaded for free if you sign in to the National Archives site. He was awarded the 1939-45 Star, Atlantic Star, Burma Star, Italy Star and the War Medal.



    The pivotal reference for a merchant seaman is his Dis.A number - guys keep banging on about 'R' numbers and this is a case in point why you should refer to it as a Dis.A - he never had an 'R' number because they, as I have reported on this site already, did not come into service until 1925. Prior to that they were numerical only with no prefix 'R'. James Henry Wood has a numerical Dis.A- 1042294. An ID number sometimes called an R.S.2 is less useful but can help in some cases.

    Any questions - please feel free.

    Regars
    Hugh

    I’m not ashamed to admit tears are rolling down my face as I look through this information. Your kindness in doing this for me is appreciated more than I can say. I wish there was some way to repay you all. His tattoo E Hollett is the name of his wife, Edith. She died of septicaemia in her early thirties. Do you think he had her name tattooed there in case something happened to him? To be able to know what he looked like, how tall he was, that he loved his wife is really meaningful. Thank you thank you thank you!

    - - - Updated - - -

    Quote Originally Posted by Doc Vernon View Post
    Hello Jessica
    In case you cannot download his Medal Card , i have done it for you , hope that OK.
    cHEERS

    Attachment 35755

    Merchant Navy campaign medal records 1939-1945 - The National Archives
    Thank you so much. You are all too kind and I am so grateful. You’ve found in a day or two more than I could have found in weeks.

  2. #12
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    Default Re: Please help me surprise 93yr old grandma with info on her dad

    Hello Jessica
    I know how you must feel, it is always so rewarding to get information on things like you asked for, Family pasy History is always a great thing to follow be it good or bad!
    We here try to assist where and when we can, so gald that at least the info has helped and made you Happy (Tears) LOL
    Thank Care Cheers
    Senior Site Moderator-Member and Friend of this Website

    R697530

  3. #13
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    Default Re: Please help me surprise 93yr old grandma with info on her dad

    Quote Originally Posted by Jessica Dutton View Post
    Thank you so much. You are all too kind and I am so grateful. You’ve found in a day or two more than I could have found in weeks.
    Do you think he had her name tattooed there in case something happened to him? To be able to know what he looked like, how tall he was, that he loved his wife is really meaningful.
    You are very welcome, Jess. Seamen did like tattoos - many did put the names of their loved ones on their arm.
    Regards
    Hugh
    "If Blood was the price
    We had to pay for our freedom
    Then the Merchant Ship Sailors
    Paid it in full”


    www.sscityofcairo.co.uk

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