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General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: malteaser14 on Wednesday 25 November 15 14:58 GMT (UK)
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Hi I was wondering if anyone could help me.
My grandad was Harry Frederick Spear. 1907-1952
He was in the merchant navy and we believe he sailed under a Captain Rose.
He was a master mariner for a few years.
He survived being torpedoed twice.
He was lost at sea in may 1952 during peace time.
He married Edna Chambers in 1939 and lived in newport, Monmouthshire, Wales.
These are all the details I have as he died when my dad was 6. Unfortunately I have no ship details.
Can anyone help?
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There is a record on Ancestry for a Harry Frederick Spear Arrival in New York 7th Sep 1945 departing from Hull, the ships name is Samythian.
It states length of service at sea 20 years, Chief Officer it states he was English British 5ft6 weight 142?
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Welcome to RootsChat. :)
You might find this guide from the National Archives useful:
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/merchant-seaman-serving-after-1917/
Nanny Jan
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Thank you both! That's amazing!
On ancestry I did find the a U.S. passenger list departing hull, but no mention of a ships man or length of service. Can I ask, where did u find it? Im obviously missing something!
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From deaths at sea
Ship 145322 Maywood registered Cardiff
Date of death 11th Sep 1953 between Dover and Dungeness
Harry F Spear Master aged 46
18 Whitstone Road, Newport Missing at sea supposed killed or drowned.
There is a small piece in the newspapers about an unsuccessful search for him and that he was presumed fallen overboard. Same home address though age different(43)
Cathy
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Don't know whether you already have his ancestry but he was born in Monmouthshire and his birth was registered in the March qtr 1907
His parents were Frederick Frazer Spear and Emma Lena Derrett who married in 1896
This is the 1901 entry for them - all b Newport
Fred Spear 31 solicitor ??clerk
Lena 26
Reginald Arthur 3
RG13 Piece 4961 Folio 129 Page 7
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Thanks both. U both have the right person!
Cath... that's my grandad! That's his address! :) not sure how there's two different dates of death though, but that address was my dad's family home!
Where would I find the newspaper article. As u can tell... Im new to this! :)
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Have sent you a pm :)
Cathy
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Frederick Frazer Spear was the brother of my great grandmother Ada Annie Spear. She married Thomas Swift in 1889. There was also another brother Arthur James Spear who was Deputy Town Clerk of Newport in the 1911 Census. I would love to see any photos of the family.
Regarding Frederick Frazer Spear the info I have is that both he and his wife Emma Lena Dorrett died 1916 Jun qtr. Is there any more info regarding this
Cheers
Doreen
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From freebmd www.freebmd.org.uk
Deaths June qtr 1916
Frederick F Spear aged 46 Newport Monmouthshire 11a 258
Deaths June qtr 1916
Emma L Spear aged 42 Newport Monmouthshire 11a 227
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Very curious as to why they both died together
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Western Mail 26 May 1916 :
Mrs Spear , Newport
The death has taken place at Batchelor Road , Newport, of Mrs Emma Spear , whose husband ( Mr Fred Spear , managing clerk to Messrs Hornby and Baker Jones , died a week previously .) One of their sons is in hospital wounded.
It may just be coincidence that their deaths were so close together. The only way to find out is to order the certificates.
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Wow! This information is intriguing!
Sorry Doreen, I tried to focus on my Grandad and his life at sea as that was my dad's request.
I will however, start looking into this. Not that I have a clue where to start!
Btw, my relationship to our great great grandfather, is blood relation on down the male side. I was born a Spear 😊
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Doreen! I'm being an idiot! Ada and Tom were my dad's Great Auntie and Uncle.
Fred and Emma were my dad's grandparents. (in terrible with names so forget whose who!)
My dad told me Fred was found at his home, sat in his chair, presumed heart attack. And that Emma was a case of dying with a broken heart shortly after. They were high school sweethearts and spent very little time apart. I will ask about the injured son though. And also about photos. X
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What is intriguing is the reference to the son being wounded and in hospital at the same time. I know it was during WW1 and he may have been wounded during active service but my curiosity would get the better of me and I would want the parents death certs
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Yes I agree, death certificates would solve mystery. Unless there is someone out there with connections to the family who could tell us. The children I have for Frederick and Emma Lena Dorrett are:- Reginald Arthur 1898-1962 who married Cora Furzer in 1920
Olive Dora 1903-1991
Gwendoline Maud 1905
Harry Frederick 1907-1952 who married Edna Margaret Chambers
Laura Winifred 1909-1950 (she was a spinster and left £300.2s.8p to Reginald Arthur Spear, local government officer.
My great grandmother Ada Annie Swift was living as a housekeeper for Liberty Camfield in the 1911 Census (no sign of husband Thos.....who later died in Abercarn in 1916). She later married Liberty in 1925. A few skeletons in the Spear family I think.
I have one photo of Arthur James Spear, its a group one of council members. I can send you any info I have if you give me your email address. Are we allowed to do that on here?
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Hi daisylazy,
We're not allowed to give email addresses in our posts , but you can exchange email addresses by PM ( personal message ). Just click on My Messages at the top of the page and select Send a Message .
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The names you have mentioned are my dads aunties and uncles. I will see how much he and his sister remember and get back to you.
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This has opened up a whole new branch in my Camfield family tree so thanks for the information 👍🏻 If you have anything else on Liberty Camfield then I’d love to see it . Thank you
Sarah