GREATWAR-L Archives

Archiver > GREATWAR > 2001-09 > 0999751892


From: Iain Kerr <>
Subject: Re: [WW1] Navies - Royal and Merchant
Date: Thu, 06 Sep 2001 05:51:32 +0100
In-Reply-To: <5.0.2.1.1.20010905165921.00a12260@cyberus.ca>


At 16:59 05/09/01 -0400, Tom and/or Lesley Huppert wrote:
>'m looking into the WWI deaths of two able seamen from Stourmouth
>(Kent). James MORRIS served on the HMS Marshall Soult (Royal Navy), and
>Alfred NEWPORT was on the SS Lewisham (Mercantile Marine) - details
>courtesy Commonwealth War Graves Commission website.
>
>I was able to find some information on the Marshall Soult, which went into
>service in November 1915, the same month James Morris died. The ship was
>attached to Dover Squadron and I've seen nothing to suggest that Morris
>would have died from enemy fire. I'm wondering if anyone can confirm?
>
>As for the Lewisham, I've yet to find any information on this vessel at
>all. Able Seaman Newport died in May 1917, if there's any connection. I've
>read a fair bit about the merchant marine in WWII but don't really
>understand its (similar?) role in WWI.
>
>I'd welcome any suggestions.
>
>Regards,
> Lesley
> Constance Bay, Ontario

Lesley,

World War I Records - Royal Navy

The British armed services personnel records for those serving in 1914 up
to 1921 are currently being released from the Ministry of Defence to the
Public Record Office, Ruskin Avenue, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 4DU, United
Kingdom; (Telephone: General Enquiries, ++44 (0) 208 876 3444; Records
Information, ++44 (0) 208 392 5200; Fax: ++44 (020) 8878 8905). The records
are available in the PRO microfilm reading room as follows:

Royal Navy and Royal Marines officers whose service ended in 1920 or before
in the Register of RN Officers in archive ADM 196 and RNVR officers in ADM 337;

Royal Navy ratings and Royal Marines other ranks who enlisted between 1892
and 1923 in archive ADM 188.

Merchant Navy Records

The Public Record Office at Kew hold some details of the Merchant Navy in
addition to the Royal Navy. The PRO address is Public Record Office,
Ruskin Avenue, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 4DU, United Kingdom; (Telephone
++44 181 876 3444).

From 1845, the British Government Department then known as the Board of
Trade operated a system of registration of Masters and Mates of British
merchant ships. The records in the PRO give name, place and date of birth,
date and place of issue of certificate of competency and rank.

Merchant Navy Records

The Board of Trade records are at the PRO, Kew in Class BT 350, on
microfilm, containing a card for each person, in surname order for the
years 1918-1941. Included on the record are various details of genealogical
interest, (birth date, next of kin, etc.), a list of ships served on (the
numbers of the ships), and a photograph of the person concerned. The
records for 1916-1922 have been destroyed.

PRO

These records are open for personal search by the enquirer or a nominated
agent. Details of the PRO, including a wide range of information sheets
about different archives, can be found at their web site URL:
http://www.pro.gov.uk/

The PRO does not have any on-line searchable archives, but the indexes to
their archives can be searched. The PRO do not usually undertake any
research for personal or postal enquirers. However they have a list of
independent researchers, with a useful search facility. The address is:
http://www.pro.gov.uk/readers/irlist/default.htm

Yours aye,

Iain Kerr in Windsor, Berkshire, United Kingdom
Web Page at: http://home.clara.net/iainkerr/index.htm
RootsWeb Sponsor and Listowner for the WORLDWAR2 Mailing List.

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