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apowell
22-02-2008, 9:13 PM
Hi

My relative a Samuel H Tolley born 1917 in West Bromwich joined the Merchant or Royal Navy in the 1930s. He died of a sudden illness while at sea but no other information. My Nan was very fond of her brother and spoke about him ofton showing me photos of him in navy uniform. Did the Merchant Navy have a uniform? (sorry to show my ignorance). How would I go about obtaining more information.

Any ideas?

Kind Regards
Adrian
Geoffers
22-02-2008, 10:16 PM
The index to Naval Ratings war deaths includes:

TOLLEY, Samuel H. Seaman. H.M.M.L1174, year-1943, vol.10, page.3897.

Which shows he was in the RN and should appear on CWGC web-site (http://www.cwgc.org/)

which he does - see this link (http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2259408):

Samuel Henry TOLLEY
aged 26
Seaman LT/JX 240830 RN Patrol Service
HMS Benbow
died 7 Jun 1943
Son of Samuel and Mary Ellen Tolley; husband of Daisy Tolley, of Tantany, West Bromwich. W Midlands.
Geoffers
22-02-2008, 10:33 PM
In case of interest, This web-site is dedicated to the RN Patrol Service (http://www.harry-tates.org.uk/index.htm)
apowell
23-02-2008, 7:11 AM
Hi

Thank you so much for this. I was young when I spoke to my nan and got the wrong details.

This really is a eye opener.

Kind Regards
Adrian
Geoffers
23-02-2008, 7:14 AM
I have a vague recollection of reading that that HMS Benbow was a shore base, so M.L 1174 would have been attached to it. I'll dig out a Navy List and see if it confirms my ageing memory.

You can order a copy of he death certificate using the reference given.
apowell
23-02-2008, 10:33 AM
Hi its trouble again,

I'm very keen and try my best but I get so so confused!

What does the M.L 1174 mean?

Is there a military address I need to request his death certificate or is it held at the GRO?

I checked the WW2 naval casualty list and it states he died (no reason) on the 6 June 1943 but the other entries give a reason eg accident,drowning, illness and Bombing etc. Any idea why no reason given? Was this common?

Kind Regards
Adrian
Geoffers
23-02-2008, 10:44 AM
M.L - Motor Launch.

The RN Patrol Service tended to be given old, slow and poorly armed vessels.

The death certificate can be ordered from the GRO.

Sorry, no idea why no reason was given - just one of those things.