Where can i get Merchant Navy Records?

[Evodius75]

Hello everyone

Anybody know where i can get any WW2 records for the Merchant Navy? one of my ancestors, Conn McCambridge is said to have served in the MN, and i'd love to find out more about that.

Any help is much appreciated

All the best,


Conn

[HMac]

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

[Evodius75]

Hi HMac

thanks for your reply  .
His full name is Cornelius Alexander McCambridge, and he was born 14/01/1915 in Gilford, Co. Down, Ireland.

[ShaunJ]

He appears on several alien crew manifests of ships arriving in New York 1943-5. He was a carpenter.

[HMac]

His CRS 10 - service record which begins in January 1941, and should show his service up until he leaves the MN, should be held at TNA Kew in piece BT 382/1061 - https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C10989286

He also has a seaman's pouch held at TNA Kew in piece BT 372/539/138 - https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C8217420 this file is a folder that holds cards and certificates and can be hit or miss but usually has an ID mugshot photo of the seaman if you are lucky.

As Shaun has said, he was a ship's carpenter and is on some crew lists from 1942-1945, the CRS 10 should give you the bigger picture.

29.7.1942, he joins TSS TYNDAREUS at Cardiff.
28.4.1943 signs on again TYNDAREUS at Cardiff.
5.7.1943 signs on SS SAMARKAND at Liverpool.
10.2.1945 signs on SS SAMCREE at Birkenhead.

Any questions please feel free

Regards
Hugh

[Evodius75]

Hi Shaun & Hugh

That's a great help, thanks  .
Just a question - is there any way to get a digital copy of those records, or do you have to travel to the Records Office in Kew?

All the best,

Conn

[Andy J2022]

Conn, you would need to travel to Kew to see the documents. Alternatively, if that is impractical for you, you can ask TNA to send you copies. If you follow the two links posted by Hugh above, on the right hand side of the page where it says Ordering and viewing options there is a button for  Request a copy. This will lead you to a page giving a fuller explanation of the service, before you start the process. Once you have completed the request form, TNA will then work out the cost of them scanning the documents on your behalf, based on the number and sizes of the items, and you can decide whether that cost is acceptable or not before agreeing to go ahead.

[Evodius75]

Thanks Andy!

I'll give that a shot now