Merchant navy records WW2

[debbiob2]

Hello
Can anyone help me please, I would like to get the service history of my husbands grandfather.
I want to give it to my husband as a present, and perhaps his medals.
I believe he served on two ships, one of which bought the 'band of brothers' soldiers over from America.
He also served in the Russian convoys (from what I've read, I think I am supposed to write to the Russian embassy to request his medals).

Any tips would be much appreciated.
Debbi

[themonsstar]

Hi Debbi
The National Archives have a lot of stuff on the Merchant Navy, I would get his medal index card first. try this.
www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/seamens-medals.asp  Cheers.

[debbiob2]

Many thanks for the prompt reply

Debbi

[genna]

Hi Debbi

I've just begun researching my Dad's Merchant Navy days during WW2. If it's of any help when you're searching the National Archives for the Merchant Seamen Medals they are listed under Surname first, then first name etc. The Seamens pouches are listed under Surname and then initials. I ordered photocopies of what was held in my Dad's pouch which cost £10 but unfortunately didn't contain too much information. I'm now waiting for a search of the archives at Southampton http://www.southampton.gov.uk/leisure/archives/collections/records-of-merchant-seamen.asp#0 in the hope that there may be a docket with a list the ships Dad was on.

As I understand it medals were issue not that long ago with regard to those who took part in the Russian convoys but these are not awarded posthumously. I don't think my Dad was aware of their existance! There is, or is about to be issued an Artic Emblem for those who saw service in arctic regions. This can be claimed by next of kind.

Hope this helps

Genna

[genna]

Hi Debbi

I think I should mention that I have now received a reply from Southampton Archives which has drawn a blank 

They have suggested that if my Dad was serving after 1941 (which he was) his records my well have been transferred to the Fifth Register of Merchant Seamen at the National Archives (BT382). If you're thinking of requesting details bear in mind that the BT 382 records are in parts that cover various periods of service.

Looks like another request for scanning on demand! Just hope I get lucky this time!

Regards Genna

[rebeccae]

Hi Debbi
I'm new to this so may be doing it all wrong (apologies if so).  As far as I can tell you are looking for a Greenwood/Wallis connection - which I do have in the form of Catherine (Kate) Greenwood and Thomas Wallis (my gg grandparents) who lived in Surrey (Brixton and thereabouts) from 1873 (when they married) until they both died of TB, in 1887 (Thomas) and 1892 (Kate) respectively (leaving 5 or 6 children in the workhouse)
Does any of this ring any bells with you?
Kind regards
Rebecca

[HMac]

Depending on what year he joined the Merchant Navy will determine where his records are kept assuming they have survived.

The Fourth Register of Seamen's Service effectively covers the period 1918 - 1941. The original cards are held at Southampton City Archives. The Fifth Register covers the period from 1941 - 1972 and is held at the National Archives in Kew.

Seamen's pouches are held in BT 372 and can be hit or miss; some contain quite a lot of information but others very little, but there is usually a photo of the seaman albeit a mugshot.

If he served in the Russian convoys, then I suggest you need to look in BT 382. What you need is his CRS10 (service record) which will state all the names of his ships from 1941 including dates and a lot more. If you are not familiar with how to search this I would need a name, date and place of birth to identify the file that you need.

Best wishes
Hugh

[genna]

Hi Hugh

Not sure who your message was meant for. If it was for me thanks for the offer but I managed to track down my Dad's CRS10. It was actually in BT 382 but in the middle of a range so his surname didn't appear when searching on line. From that I found that he had served on the Moncalm in convoy PQ15 so I was able to apply for and received his Arctic Emblem.

Regards Genna

[HMac]

Hello Genna,
The message was primarily aimed at Debbie but also for anyone else.
When searching for CRS10's you will not find individual names as they are held in block as you have already found out. But it is easy enough to find the appropriate piece if you are familiar with the National Archives site. If you are not then not so easy.

Regards
Hugh