Were there two ships that were hit .

[Susan Kitchen]

Hello. I'm trying to find out what i can of my Father-in-Laws time in the Merchant Navy during WW2. His name was Lawrence Dudley Halcro Kitchen. Born 4th December 1921 in East Ham, London.
Lawrence died on 14th May 1996 Newham London. So far i have found out that he was on the ship named Anselm which was sunk by U-96 on 5th July 1941. Then i think he was on a ship called the Happy Valley. Strange as it may seem some in the family believe that Lawrence was on another ship which was also hit by a U Boat. I can't find anything about this and i would have thought it rare to be on one ship which was hit then be on another and the same thing to happen. But it seems to be a rumour in the family. So if anyone can help with this i would be very grateful.
Susan.

[Doc Vernon]

Hello Susan
Just to start you off here is a Link to is Seamans Pouch, which will have Basic info, you would want his CRS10 as well, which will have his full Service Record. I will look that up in a little while, and post same here .
Cheers

R207112 KITCHEN L D 04/12/1921 LONDON | The National Archives


Added

His CRS10 Should be within this Series, if applying though please also Quote his Seamans Pouch Reference .
Cheers
Kirzynowski S E to Knappett D J | The National Archives

Not that unusual for a Seaman to have been of more than one Ship that was Torpedoed, just the Luck or should i say Bad Luck of the Draw .

Of interest possible to you ?

WRECKSITE - ANSELM OCEAN LINER 1935-1941

[Des Jenkins]

Hi Susan
It was possible to be sunk a number of times on MN ships during the war, a young Ab in our village was torpedoed three time then was on a ship bring him home when that one was also torpedoed, at one time he was so frightened he jumped ship in Jamaica.
Des

[Susan Kitchen]

Thank you all for replying to my query. I have found some old photo copies of papers for Lawrence. There is something about a ship called Surat which it says was hit by a Torpedo 6th May 1941 but i can't seem to find out if Lawrence was on this ship. As i've said the only other ships i've found in connection with Lawrence is Anselm and Imperial Valley which i don't think was hit. I've found other papers to do with a Gunnery course and rating as a 2nd Radio officer but that's it.
Lastly i do apologise if i seem a bit dim in using this site as i'm not use to it or anything to do with the Merchant Navy even though my Brother-in-Law was in the Merchant Navy in the Falklands. Never really the same afterwards. All my relatives were Army apart from my Dad who was a Rear Gunner in the Lancaster's. So please be patient if i get things wrong.

[Ivan Cloherty]

Susan, some of us have been on this site since 2008 and still get it wrong!!, the guys on here will always help as much as possible and do sterling work offering their free time to help others, mind you if they weren't doing that they would only be getting under their wives feet, so keep on keeping them out of mischief

[Doc Vernon]

Hello Susan
Well as you now Mention another Ship , i have looked it up and here is a Link about it.
Crewlist from Surat (British motor merchant) - Ships hit by German U-boats during WWII - uboat.net

You will have to look up the Crew List for her and see if the name you seek is listed.
Cheers

166621; 166623; 166624; 166625; 166632; 166633; 166635; 166637; 166686; 166743; 166758 | The National Archives A link to the Ships Crew List above. The Surat Off Number 166621