Help finding my Grandad

[malteaser14]

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?

[LisaRobinson87]

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?

[nanny jan]

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

[malteaser14]

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! 

[cath151]

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

[CaroleW]

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

[malteaser14]

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!

[cath151]

Have sent you a pm
Cathy

[daisylazy]

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