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19th August 2023, 03:48 PM
#1
Hello from Central Scotland
Hello all. I have joined the forum to do a bit of research on my late grandfather. His name was Robert Alexander Fullerton and for most of his life he served with the Donaldson Line of Glasgow, eventually rising to the post of purser. He sailed through both WW1 and WW2 and I have been putting together his medals from both wars. I'm pretty clear on what medals are what, apart from one. He was awarded a red torpedo badge, but also has a bar to it. I have all his Discharge books and know that he was torpedoed at least twice - one in each war. I know that the torpedo badge was introduced in WW1, but did it apply in WW2 as well? If it did, the bar is explained. If it didn't, I have another WW1 sinking that I can't trace!
Any help appreciated. Thanks!
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19th August 2023, 04:55 PM
#2
Re: Hello from Central Scotland
Hello and a welcome from Highland Scotland, Alan.
The Torpedo Badge was for WWI only. King George V authorised the issuing of ‘torpedo badges’ to merchant seaman whose ship had been sunk or damaged by either a torpedo or mine and had made another voyage, of at least one month, on a British ship. The badges were issued by the British Board of Trade. So it may be the case that one of his ships was damaged but not sunk.
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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19th August 2023, 05:17 PM
#3
Re: Hello from Central Scotland
Many thanks, Hugh. Family history recounts three torpedoings so that sounds a likely scenario.
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19th August 2023, 05:49 PM
#4
Re: Hello from Central Scotland
Have you checked his Dis.A book for each of his ships, Alan?
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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21st August 2023, 02:10 PM
#5
Re: Hello from Central Scotland
Yes. He was on the Anchor Line "Cameronia" when it was torpedoed and sunk on 15th April 1917. One of his discharge books was lost at that time. Although he served on several other ships in WW1 I can't find details of any of them being attacked.
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21st August 2023, 10:05 PM
#6
Re: Hello from Central Scotland
Senior Site Moderator-Member and Friend of this Website
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