merchant navy

[madmurph]

how would i find out which ships someone served on during both world wars?
his name is stanley stainthorpe morrison and he was at sea for 40 years i think
he was born 2/12/1885 and died 3/8/1959
he was an engineer, he was rumoured to have been torpedoed twice during the wars
any help received with thanks
alison

[pityackafromblyth]

madmurph, saw your post, and have sent a PM which you may find of assistance.

[TracyW]

Have you tried the National Archives? I found a great uncle's sea pouch there for the 2nd world war:

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/looking-for-person/merchantseamanafter1917.htm?WT.lp=rg-3193

I did have a quick search for you and he's not listed as having a pouch there but the link might give you leads elsewhere.

[Ray T]

Records of individual merchant seamen post circa. 1918 are held at the Southampton Archives. For a fee they will search for you (a couple or three years ago it cost me the astronomical sum of £7). The search came back with copies of his continuous discharge book and a detailed letter converting the ships numbers to names - often a problem in itself. It took them about a month but the wait was well worth it. If you can get to Southampton you can (or could) do the search yourself.
Ray

[seaweed]

A search now costs £15
http://www.southampton.gov.uk/s-leisure/artsheritage/history/maritimehistory/centralindex.aspx
However as he served in WW2 these records would have been transfered to his "Seamans pouch" As his pouch has been lost or destroyed there is an outside chance SCA will have the original.

You need to find his form CRS10 for his sea service  from1941
This will record
Name
Date and place of birth
Discharge 'A' number
Rank or rating, with relevant certificate details
Details of any other qualifications
Date CRS 10 first page was created
A list of ships and their official numbers with date and place of engagement,
F or H (for Foreign or Home trade voyage),
date and place of discharge from the ship
character grade
When ashore the sheet may bear the entry MNRP (Merchant Navy Reserve Pool) with date and place.
The problem with CRS10's is that they were written by third parties sometimes months after the event occurs. Mistakes and omissions are common.
However for general research they are a good starting point. If you wish to be more detailed then you could obtain individual Crew Agreements.
CRS 10,s start in early 1941. if he /she had service before that date then it will be recorded on cards CR1 and CR2 which should be in the seamans pouch. The cost of digital copies of CRS10's vary so you would have to ask.
If he has a CRS10 it will be here if anywhere
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycataloguedetails.asp?CATID=8124573&CATLN=6&accessmethod=5


His WW2  medal listing. Keep hold of his discharge number
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=4500012&queryType=1&resultcount=2

and his WW1 listing
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=8504698&queryType=1&resultcount=3

[madmurph]

thank you for your replies very helpful
alison

[1iking]

Hi Alison

Just came across your post. Not sure if you've got anywhere but I did a search of Find my Past merchant navy records and have got a copy of Stanley Stainthorpe Morrison's CR10 (it contains a photo of him) and his CR2. If you would like a copy PM me with your email address and I will email them to you.

Regards

Alan

[madmurph]

hi
thank you very much for the 2 records you sent me
thats the first time my husband has seen his great grandad
thank tou
alison