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In the circumstances of his death, no death certificate would have been issued. Merchant seamen's deaths during the World Wars were recorded by different authorities — the GRO system (births, marriages, deaths registered in England and Wales) applied only to deaths on land.

The recording of Merchant Navy deaths at sea was the responsibility of the master of the ship and was recorded in the ship's Official Log Book, Casualty and Death List. Certainly, problems arose with the recording of casualties at sea when a ship was lost with all hands. In these circumstances the owners would submit the copy of the crew list that had been retained on shore (the 'Red Copy') to the RGSS — these lists were then used for the registration of the deaths of the crews. We can still see today the problems that have arisen from the non-commemoration of some merchant seamen missed by the relevant authorities and also the CWGC. In these cases, evidence has still to be provided that a seaman was actually lost at sea and, indeed, that the loss was attributed to enemy action or increased war risk.

The fact that he is commemorated by the CWGC means there is no doubt that his death was recognised as a war casualty.

Looking at Andy's link above it appears that route may give you some answers but by no means will every merchant seaman's death at sea be recorded against a ship name.

Hugh

There's only one birth of a Patrick Findlay in 1925 in the Scottish birth indexes, Patrick McIntee Findlay, in Glasgow.

As it's less than 100 years ago, the birth certificate isn't available to view online. There are two options.

Just an update on this and sorry it has taken so long - unfortunately, and as expected, I was unsuccessful with the CWGC. The required evidence I submitted did not meet their very high bar.

They would be willing to commemorate him as a civilian on the Civilian Roll of Honour if I could supply a death certificate. This, too, will probably be impossible as he is not even recorded in the Deaths at Sea Register. The only proof of death being the Swedish records.

I had to wait until it came online but here are the birth details: Patrick McIntee Findlay b. 12.7.1925 at 48 Bell Street, Carlton, Glasgow to Edward Findlay and Helen Findlay m.s. Conway, married, 18.10.1921 at St. Rollox, Glasgow.

Patrick Findlay and his two shipmates, Thomas J. Mattey and Thomas Trigg have no grave but the sea and unfortunately are still forgotten by their country. I think I have taken it as far as I can unless anything else crops up.

Thanks to all who have contributed here.

Regards
Hugh

Hi,
Merchant Navy WW2 records - (1941 - 1972) CRS 10 forms are held at TNA Kew in BT 382.
Can you tell me his date and place of birth and is that his full name?
Hugh

Hello,
He appears to have served in the Merchant Navy from 1926 until 1929
He enrolled for a 5-year term in the Royal Naval Reserve on 30 July 1930 until 29 July 1935.
He joins the army on 28 October 1941.

He has 2 x CR1 and 1 x CR2 cards which are for him.

The CR1 card is not for 1921 it just means the cards are dated in the 1921-1941 range

Regards
Hugh

Because this is a black and white photo you cannot be 100% certain this is the uniform of a Chief Officer MN. The sleeve insignia for a Second Engineer officer is the same except for thin purple cloth in between the stripes and the diamond. This is not discernible in a black and white photo but it is definitely a chief officer or a 2nd engineer, Merchant Navy.

Regards
Hugh