Hi. I’ve only just seen your reply! His name was Ronald Collins 01/07/1921 born in Dartford or Gravesend not 100% sure. Alex.
Ronald C Collins 1921 Medway Kent Mother's Maiden Name: Taylor Ronald G Collins 1921 Faversham Kent Mother's Maiden Name: Smith 2 X Ronald Collins born 1921 in that area TD
I will be able to put you on to his record file but first I would like to establish if he had a middle name as I have a R J Collins b.1.7.1922 from Kent. Regards Hugh
For Info England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1916-2007 Name: Ronald J Collins Registration Date: 1922 Registration district: Dartford Inferred County: Kent Re-registration Year: 1922 Mother's Maiden Name: Flint Volume Number: 2a Page Number: 1126 Also Name: Ronald F Collins Registration Date: 1922 Registration district: Tonbridge Inferred County: Kent Re-registration Year: 1922 Mother's Maiden Name: Streeter Volume Number: 2a Page Number: 1503 TD
His Seaman's Pouch is held at Kew in piece BT 372/704/79 This is a kind of safety deposit box for documents - some contain lots of information others very little but there is usually a photo albeit a mugshot. His CRS 10 - service record from Jan, 1941 - should be held at Kew in piece BT 382/358 This file should detail all the ships he served in including dates and places of engagement/discharge. The CRS 10 file is not to a named person as there are up to 60 other names in this file and consequently not easy to obtain online so I recommend you visit the archives to obtain both files or if that is a non starter then you can always use Lee or Andy on this site who will copy the files for reasonable cost. Any questions about what is contained in the files when you obtain them please feel free to ask. Regards Hugh
Hugh, Absolutely brilliant. Thanks ever so much for that info. I’m an archives regular from my research from my other grandad. Were merchant seamen entitled to any medals? Alex.
Hi Alex, Yes they were entitled to the same campaign medals as the fighting services. The medals had to be claimed however and there is a process to go through if they were not issued or claimed. I cannot see a file for him which means you would need that CRS10 and Movement Cards for each qualifying ship to prove his service and entitlement. I can help you with the process should you require it. The NoK would need to sign the application form. Regards Hugh
Thanks. I don’t ever remember seeing any medals. We know for sure he towed over a section or two of the mulberry harbour at arromanche so hopefully those documents will shed more light. Alex.
You should contact the Registry of Shipping and Seamen now to start the ball rolling. Ask if they have a medal entitlement for him - R305098 COLLINS R J 01/07/1922 KENT. if they have none they will send you an application form together with instructions on how to proceed. The Registry of Shipping & Seamen (RSS) MCA Cardiff Anchor Court Keen Road Cardiff CF24 5JA TEL: 029 2044 8844 www.mcga.gov.uk seafarers_registry@mcga.gov.uk Regards Hugh
The medal roll is incomplete - not all paperwork for those whose medals were issued or claimed survives. That is why an initial application must be made to the RSS in Cardiff who will first check if a medal entitlement survives. The chances are that if no medal file is shown for an individual seaman in BT 395 then there will be no entitlement and that entitlement then has to be proved by the individual's next of kin. The process is quite clear but the gathering of evidence is not always straightforward. With regard to Alex's request for R. J. Collins, I have checked and he has no file therefore an application needs to be made as per my #32. Regards Hugh
Today I received the Atlantic Star, 39-45 Star and Defence Medal on behalf of my deceased grandad Ron J Collins. Thanks ever so much to Hugh for pointing me in the right direction. Forever grateful! Alex.
You are welcome Alex and glad you got a result. The third medal is actually the War Medal not the Defence Medal. Regards Hugh