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Hello,
He was in the RNVR - Drake Battalion of the Royal Naval Division. You can download his service record for free from the National Archives - just sign in....

Hello Gordon,
Most are probably not aware of the main merchant seamen's service records [called CRS 10] because they are not searchable online. But the CRS 10 is where I would expect his sea service...

I presume the record you have is his Seaman's Pouch held at Kew in piece BT 372/880/118 -
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C8272928

The fact that he has a Dis.A number means...

I answered this question here about 3 years ago :) See the following thread #9 specifically - https://www.british-genealogy.com/threads/87649-Merchant-Navy-Records.?
The advice still stands....

Lest we forget.

Regards
Hugh

Hi Maggs,
As he died in 1941, I doubt very much there is a photo of him from MN records. I have checked and there are none I am afraid. The only way you will find out any more such as any previous...

Hi Terry,
I don't see a medal file for him so assume the medals are from WW1 army - will leave that to the army experts to help you with.
He served on the following ships, this will not be a...

The photo on his CR 10 card was taken circa 1919 therefore the medals are more than likely his WW1 army service medals.
Peter that link is to a seaman born in 1943 so not the same person.

Regards...

Hi Susan,
Yes, he did sail on the IMPERIAL VALLEY arriving New York NY on 31 October 1945. I cannot see the full list but I suspect he was again travelling as a passenger possibly DBS. That could...

Susan,

The piece references I have supplied for Kew should give you details of his service.

When you obtain his CRS 10 it should confirm that he was aboard mv SURAT torpedoed and sunk by U-103...

Hi Gen,
The cards cover the range 1918 - 1921 but he served as far as we can establish from 1921 until the end of 1923 being shown as not regestered after 1923. In those days being taken on as an...

Hi Susan,

His seaman's pouch held at Kew in piece BT 372/249/116

His CRS 10 (service record from Jan, 1941) should be held at Kew in piece BT 382/958, if it has survivied.
This is best...

Some MN records are available but the seaman's main service record CRS 10 is not. You would need to obtain that by visit to Kew or by a researcher.
If you wish to give a name, date and place of...

All Merchant Navy medal card links in FMP that point to the National Archives, Kew to download show the category as "Military, armed forces & conflict". So ambiguity is present from the beginning for...

It depends where you get the link from - for example FMP give the link but their description gives the following: military, armed forces and conflict and this is where the original poster got their...

Hi Gen,
You have obviously found his CR2 card. From looking at that I can tell you that he was not active in the MN from 1923. He joined LANCASHIRE in Feb 1922 the crew agreement will tell you when...

Hi Gen,
A difficult task. His last known service ended in 1922 so he may or may not have sailed in other ships up until going to NZ in 1927. On the crew agreements that you have is there a number...

Do you know when he came ashore? If he didn't serve in WW2 you won't find out anymore unless you have the name of a ship from a later date.

Regards
Hugh

His CR10 card shows him on ss TUSCANY in 1921. No other personal MN records exist for this period so locating him via crew agreements is the only way to go. You would need to get hold of the crew...

It is quite possible, Pat, that he could have sailed on allied ships - many seamen did sign on these ships as required during the war. However, that said, he would still have a *British discharge...

Hi Pat,
I would be willing to take a look at what you have with regard to the seaman's records if you wish. Sometimes there are things you don't see but another pair of eyes can help.
Regards
Hugh

Yes, Pat, you got a standard reply from them. Because the file is not to a named person they deem searching for it as research and offer their own research service but will charge accordingly. The...

Hi Pat,
The seaman's pouch will be hit or miss. Some contain a lot of detail others not so. However, usually, there should be an ID photo albeit a mugshot in it. Again, if you are lucky, there will...

His medal entitlement is filed under Santanna at Kew in piece BT 395/1/86165 so I would guess the rest of his WW2 service is filed similarly. That being the case look for his CRS 10 (service record...

The first thing to try and obtain is his CRS 10 from BT 382 at Kew. This will contain his service record from Jan, 1941, if it has survived. There can be mistakes and omissions as well though as they...