Merchant Navy CR10 - 'renewal' query

[paulalou]

Hi all,

I've found the CR10 record for an ancestor of mine. His record has an entry for his 'No. of Identity Certificate' (497388), some personal details including his DOB, a photo, and written on the side of the document is 'renewal'.  As his name was 'William Smith' his name is too common. I haven't found anything in the CR2 series which could be a match as only year of birth seems to be given and no identity certificate number. His CR10 doesn't list any ship ID's.

My question is, presumably the 'renewal' means he was staying on in the MN - can anyone confirm this? Also, is there a way to match up CR10 and CR2 records if I don't have a discharge number?

Thanks in advance.

[HMac]

Hello,
The CR10 card was introduced in 1918 with a new ID and service book (RS2) with the new ID number as the numerical identifier. Sometimes a Dis.A is shown if the seaman was already in posession of a DB. The CR2 card recorded foreign voyages and was identified by Dis.A number.
Can you give a date and place of birth so I can put another pair of eyes on it?
Regards
Hugh

[paulalou]

Hello,
The CR10 card was introduced in 1918 with a new ID and service book (RS2) with the new ID number as the numerical identifier. Sometimes a Dis.A is shown if the seaman was already in posession of a DB. The CR2 card recorded foreign voyages and was identified by Dis.A number.
Can you give a date and place of birth so I can put another pair of eyes on it?
Regards
Hugh

Hi Hugh,

His name was William Smith, born 3rd April 1894 in London.

[HMac]

Hi Paula,
Certainly a difficult task as the key is trying to find common identifying information within the available records. A name like William Smith [no middle name] from London means looking for a needle in a haystack. There is one contender and I stress it is one you should rule out via further research rather than rule in at this stage. William Smith b. 1894, London. Dis.A 1135637. Your ancester noted on CR 10 as Greaser but the guy with Dis. A 1135637 noted as a Trimmer both were engine-room ratings and used interchangeably.

Do you have any further id information on him? Did he serve in the wars as a seaman?
Regards
Hugh 

[paulalou]

Hi Paula,
Certainly a difficult task as the key is trying to find common identifying information within the available records. A name like William Smith [no middle name] from London means looking for a needle in a haystack. There is one contender and I stress it is one you should rule out via further research rather than rule in at this stage. William Smith b. 1894, London. Dis.A 1135637. Your ancester noted on CR 10 as Greaser but the guy with Dis. A 1135637 noted as a Trimmer both were engine-room ratings and used interchangeably.

Do you have any further id information on him? Did he serve in the wars as a seaman?
Regards
Hugh

Hi,

He did serve in the Royal Navy from 1912 to at least 1920 where he was a stoker 1st class, his service number was K.15207. I've found his service record and also an entry in the National Roll (Section II London) however I'm suspecting his NR entry isn't exactly true of his whereabouts during WW1 - it would be good to get an experienced opinion on that. His address given in NR entry (33 Halford Road, Fulham) is where his sister was living so I'm certain it's for the same WS.

[AncestryPete]

Entries in the NR were not-officially sourced, were privately provided, by subscription and so unchecked and it is not unusual to find an entry which might have been "romanced" a little.  Often parents or families were the source rather than the lad himself.