Merchant ships and seaman ww2

[Pattiw]

Hi

I'm hoping to trace a family memeber who served in the merchant navy in WW2. I believe the records are held at Kew but am unable to get there. Does anyone know if there is an online search facility for this.

Thank you.

[Roger Griffiths]

Hello,
There are two main sources of information regarding merchant seamens service records in WW2.

BT372 SEAMEN'S POUCH
These are records of his/her documents filed together in paper envelopes known as "pouches". The contents vary for single registry cards to ID Cards, photographs, letters, applications forms and other ephemera. If he/she has a pouch which has survived it will cost in the region of £5.60 for a digital copy of the contents.

BT382 FORM CRS10
This will record
Name
Date and place of birth
Discharge 'A' number
Rank or rating, with relevant certificate details
Details of any other qualifications
Date CRS 10 first page was created
A list of ships and their official numbers with date and place of engagement,
F or H (for Foreign or Home trade voyage),
date and place of discharge from the ship
character grade
When ashore the sheet may bear the entry MNRP (Merchant Navy Reserve Pool) with date and place.
The problem with CRS10's is that they were written by third parties sometimes months after the event occurs. Mistakes and omissions are common.
However for general research they are a good starting point. If you wish to be more detailed then you could obtain individual Crew Agreements.
CRS 10,s start in early 1941. if he /she had service before that date then it will be recorded on cards CR1 and CR2 which should be in the seamans pouch. The cost of digital copies of CRS10 vary so you would have to ask.
If you could post your relatives full name, date and place of birth, I may be able to give you a direct link to TNA.


Roger

[Pattiw]

Thank you Roger. His name was Thomas Alan Walker and his date of birth was 6 January 1925. Sorry, I should have added he was born in Bromley Kent.

[Roger Griffiths]

Hello Again, This would seem to be your man.

His seamans "pouch"

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/cata ... ssmethod=0

You cannot see the record online. To obtain a digital copy of the contents

Hit ORDERING AND VIEWING OPTIONS and take it from there. They will get back with a quote in a few days.

His CRS 10

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/cata ... ssmethod=5

Again hit ORDERING AND VIEWING OPTIONS and ask for a quote for
" The CRS 10 of Thomas Alan Walker, Discharge A number R 261315, Born Kent 06/01/1925"

It would appear that he did not claim his medal entitlement.


Roger

[Pattiw]

Thank you so much for that. I have clicked on the link but how can you tell he didn't claim his medal entitlement?

[Roger Griffiths]

It would seem that he did not apply for his WW2 medals.

Hit the search button.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/docu ... diaArray=*

If you are NOK then you can apply for them. It is a long drawn out procedure and you will need his form CRS10 as part of the proof needed to obtain his medals.
There may be something on his CRS10 to say what medals he was entitled to.

Roger