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Arctic Convoys

• Message 1.Β 

  Posted by Dopeywoolysheep (U14208983) on Sunday, 28th February 2010

  My grandfather was in the Merchant Navy during the WW2 and served on the Arctic Convoys. I know that he was an engineer but not much else. I have tried to ask family but know one knows anything and sadly the people who would are no longer alive.
  How would i go about finding information about him during his time in the Merchant Navy?
  Any help will be greatly appreciated,
  
  dopey

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• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by LairigGhru (U14051689) on Monday, 1st March 2010

  I think all the records are to be found at National Archives in Kew (formerly known as the Public Record Office).
  
  Write to them or ring them. Good luck.
  
  Something to try that might interest you: google the phrase "sinking of the Scharnhorst".

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• Message 3

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  Posted by Grumpyfred (U2228930) on Monday, 1st March 2010

  Dopy, something you may know. If a British ship was sunk, the moment his feet hit the water or the lifeboat, he came off pay. Also Ship owners would put ships that were onlt fit for scrapping into convoys, knowing that if they were sunk the Government would present them with a nice shiny new one. Some ship owners would declare that their ship could do such a speed and therefore get them assigned to a fast convoy,knowing that there was every chance they would be left behind alone and at the mercy of the U Boats. This was almost murder.

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• Message 4

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by colonelblimp (U1705702) on Monday, 1st March 2010

  As LairigGhru says, the records (some of them, anyway) are at the National Archives and it would certainly be a good idea to get in touch with them. They have a Central Register of Shipping and Seamen, 1921-1941, in Class BT 348-9. BT 139 and 142 (indexed in BT 127) contain Engineers' certificates of competency from 1862, though my source, a book on tracing family history, doesn't say what date the records run up to. I haven't looked at these particular ones myself, although I did make a couple of visits to the NA to look up some of my own relatives who were merchant seamen in the 1840s.
  
  Incidentally, my uncle was also on the Arctic convoys but with the RN.
  
  

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• Message 5

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  Posted by Dopeywoolysheep (U14208983) on Monday, 1st March 2010

  Thank you for these messages. My grandfather returned after the war and lived until his 70s when i was born so i only have vague memories of him. I don't know anything about the Merchant Navy really. The trip to Kew I would love to make, but that will have to wait for a while as i live in Scotland and will have to wait until i can get time free. But i will get in touch with the people there. I have spent a bit of time reading up on the name of the ship mentioned in one of the other messages.
  One thing that i discovered from looking at his photos and from talking to my mum is that before he went to war he had a full head of blond hair. On returning he had a full head of white hair! Mum said that he returned from the war when she was just 5, so to her, he always had white hair. She only found out later when she saw photos of him from before the war.
  Unfortunately i don't have any other information in terms of providing certificates, numbers, etc.
  But thank you for your advice and suggestions,
  
  dopey

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• Message 6

  , in reply to message 5.

  Posted by Grumpyfred (U2228930) on Monday, 1st March 2010

  Dopy, if you plan your trip well in advance, there is a certain company that I can't name but owns a chain of travel lodges and one is quite near Kew, and as I say if you know well in advance, they do special offers.We've used them, and they are clean and basic and within walking distance. Kew also used to have themed open days.
  
  GF

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• Message 7

  , in reply to message 6.

  Posted by LairigGhru (U14051689) on Tuesday, 2nd March 2010

  May I recommend that you let your fingers do the walking before you make an actual trip because you will probably be able to make much more efficient use of your precious hours there as a result (you will already know the relevant piece numbers and room names without having to rely too much on who happens to be around to help you).
  
  If you have a friend or relative who gets free calls then so much the better - ask to use their phone!

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• Message 8

  , in reply to message 7.

  Posted by Dopeywoolysheep (U14208983) on Tuesday, 2nd March 2010

  I might try to get to Kew in the Autumn. Summer would be great, apart from the high temperatures, high prices of travel and accomodation! So if i leave it to the Autumn it gives me more time to plan and make it a really enjoyable wee trip!
  
  dopey

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