Obtaining records for a Mariner c1860

[Rove]

I am trying to trace my maternal great grandfather William Martin Cook.

This is all I know about him

William Martin Cook a merchant seaman born 1836 or 1837 married in Malta 1859. Had two daughters born Malta. He died in Malta May 1862 age 25y.
Buried at Ta Braxia Cemetery.

I have a copy of his marriage cert of Sept 1859. His father was John Cook b UK. His mother was Maria Martha Macauliff.

If I engage someone in London to try obtain his service record what else could I find out about him and what approx costs are involved.

Thanks.

[scottsheat]

Hello

Interestingly I can only find one William Cook b about that time with parents John & Maria:

William Cook
Christening: 01 JAN 1836 West Keal, Lincoln, England
Father: John Cook
Mother: Maria
This is an extracted record & the reference is:
Batch Number C032783 Years 1624 - 1859 Call Number 1541985 IT 6 on Film

You may also find this helpful

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/browse-refine.asp?CatID=15&searchType=browserefine&pagenumber=1&query=*&queryType=1

if he was in the Merchant Navy or, if he was in the RN this site also has helpful records