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General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: BoBo on Monday 27 February 06 19:49 GMT (UK)
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I wonder if anyone can help me trace some information about my Grandfather Carmelo Camilleri. My Dad recently gave me two medals he had of Carmelo's - both signify he was in the Merchant Navy during WW1 - one is the standard merchant navy medal and the other I have discovered was given to sailors who were involved in a sea battle.
I know very little about my grandfather but the bit I do know make him out to be quite adventurous. I know he was in the Merchant Navy during WW1 and continued until the early 1920's when he joined his two brother in America. However before WW2 he returned to his homeland, Malta and married. He set up a business but during WW2 he caught malaria and died. My Dad was very young and only has a limited amount of information to pass on so any help would be great
BoBo
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Hi Bobo!
I've found some Camilleri marriages but not Carmelo - but I'll post them just in case!! This Malta site is full of great information - check it out - you might find more family!!
CAMILLERI, Giovanna, to THOMSON, Henry, 1891
CAMMILLERI, Margherita, to POTTS, John, 1885
CAMMILLERI, Mary, 17 years 3 months, spinster, born Malta, daughter of Joseph and Ellen Cammilleri, married 21st September 1868 to
WILMOTT, Ralph, 21+, bachelor, born Meuden, Wiltshire, Private, 1st Battalion, 8th Regiment, son of John and Harriett Wilmott.
http://website.lineone.net/~stephaniebidmead/c6.htm
Annie :) :) :)
PS Some deaths too -
http://website.lineone.net/~stephaniebidmead/army_chaplain1900+.htm
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You can download this medal card! - maybe not his though ??? ??? ???
Medal listing of
Camilleri, Carmelo
Discharge number:
767466
Date
1887
http://tinyurl.com/qwd2n
and his service records
http://tinyurl.com/zqnvu
Annie :) :) :) :)
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Annie
Many thanks for your replies. Went to the National Archives and downloaded one record for Carmelo Camilleri. The date of birth wasn't exact as my grandfather was born - as far as I know - on 17/2/1897 and the Carmelo I found was on the 17/7/1897. Anyway it was worth a try as he did disembark in the USA in 1920 and everything else was similar.
The birth and death information you found for me were maltese people who married servicemen stationed in Malta. My granddad was Maltese and therefore wouldn't be on this list.
It is really frustrating as I know so little about him. I have his medals; I know he went to USA in 1920. I don't know when he returned to Malta but know he got married in 1931 & that's it.
Thanks again - any other ideas?
BoBo
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Hi Bobo,
Have you thought about placing an ad. on one of the sites on the net for Malta perhaps www.searchmalta.com or an add in the Times of Malta? We go there a lot and the Camilleri name is all over the island, perhaps somebody there will be able to help you.
Regards
Sukie
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Annie
Many thanks for your replies. Went to the National Archives and downloaded one record for Carmelo Camilleri. The date of birth wasn't exact as my grandfather was born - as far as I know - on 17/2/1897 and the Carmelo I found was on the 17/7/1897. Anyway it was worth a try as he did disembark in the USA in 1920 and everything else was similar.
The birth and death information you found for me were maltese people who married servicemen stationed in Malta. My granddad was Maltese and therefore wouldn't be on this list.
It is really frustrating as I know so little about him. I have his medals; I know he went to USA in 1920. I don't know when he returned to Malta but know he got married in 1931 & that's it.
Thanks again - any other ideas?
BoBo
That's not quite true Bobo ! - it is not exclusively British, some citizens of Malta and other European countries are included, as well as people from other parts of the world - I thought you might enjoy going through the different sections - as Sukie says the Camilleri name is all over the island and you might just "luck out"
Annie :)
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Hi BoBo
not sure if this is your grandfather but there is the folllowing reference in the Times dated June 14th 1918 under the heading 'Medal of the Empire - Munition Workers and Telephone Girls - Gallantry at Home'
"The king has been pleased to confer the Medal of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire on the folowing persons for services in connection with the war, in which great courage or self sacrifice has been displayed. The awards are dated June 3:-"
The there is a long list of names to include
"CAMILLERI, Carmelo, Assistant Fitter, Malta Dockyard, for meritous service performed in one of H.M. ships while in action"
best wishes
Margaret :)
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Hi Bobo,
Think this might be what you are looking for, try www.libraries-archives.gov.mt This is a Malta site which holds all the records I think you are looking for. They will be very helpful, but don't expect a fast reply, there is never a rush on the island, especially with gov. departments.
Good luck & hope you find your answers.
Sukie
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Hi all
Thanks for all your replies. I have placed a message on the Malta website and wait and see. Margaret the excerpt might be my grandfather however when I asked my Dad he said he was a steward/cook so I don't know. How did you get the bit from the Malta Times?
There is a great deal of mystery about my grandfather and even though I have always asked questions of my relatives - as we should- noone seems to know or tell a great deal. My Dad is even adamant that we cannot obtain a birth certificate for him. Anyway I always love a mystery and find him so fascinating. A bit of an adventurer - however it doesn't say much as most Maltese do not live in Malta but abroad!
Thanks again all of you
BoBo
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Hi Bobo :) the excerpt was from the British Times Digital Archive as the Carmelo Camilleri mentioned received a medal of the British Empire. Juust a thought..... if you have his medals to hand, you could search for an image online of the medal awarded to the Carmelo Camilleri above to see if matches the medal you have at home for your grandfather?
Margaret :)
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hi bobo,
i found this, cardiff 1881, ship fountains abbey.
carmelo carmeli married 23yrs male malta cook.
it may not help a lot but another snippet for your records, all the best, kali.
ps the british cargo ship fountains abbey was wrecked near red hoad on nov. 15th 1921 on a voyage from riga to dundee with a cargo of flax and timber.
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Thought this may be of interest!!
http://www.scienceandsocietyprints.com/barcode10175557.aspx
Annie :)
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Hi All
As usual you all surprise me! I'm still trying to puzzle out granddad's mysterious life. My Gran, his wife is still alive! The youngest of 13 and still going strong at 96 years old. However her hearing is not all that good and therefore between my broken Maltese and her hearing problems I don't get very far. Any help will always be greatly appreciated.
BoBo
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In the past I have tried researching seamen from Malta with the surname Camillari and it's a minefield. Find my Past has some 28 service records for persons named Carmelo Camilleri who served in the MN between 1918 and 1941. All the service records for the period of the First World War have been destroyed.
Is there any inscription on the edge of the medals you have? If so could you post please?