Hi, I a researching the above Cabin Boy on the M.V.Empire Glade (Glasgow) Merchant Navy, who died age 16. I want to tewll his story, but there is no mention of his family in any document I have found on FMP and Ancestry. He was the only fatality on the 28th November 1942. Thanks to Empire Glade (British Motor merchant) - Ships hit by German U-boats during WWII - uboat.net I was able to find out:- On 28 Nov 1942, U-67 hit the unescorted Empire Glade with gunfire, but the vessel escaped and reached Charleston on 7 December. One of the six gunners aboard was killed. I have found a family on the 1939 Register living at 33 Mancot Way,Mancot Royal,Queensferry , Hawarden R.D., Flintshire, Wales Henry Prestidge 08 Jun 1898 Male Steel Works Roller - 125 1 Hannah Prestidge 10 Jan 1901 Female Unpaid D Duties - 125 2 Marion R Selby (Whitley,Prestige) 14 Feb 1920 Female Unpaid D Duties- 125 3 Kenneth Prestidge 28 Dec 1922 Male Shorthand Typis - 125 4 Sorry, this record is officially closed. Check if you can open a closed record. Grace Miles (Prestidge) 16 Jan 1927 Female At School - 125 6 Sorry, this record is officially closed. Check if you can open a closed record. and this the birth Cert of a Leonard PRESTIDGE? Surname First name(s) Mother District Vol Page Births Mar 1926 (>99%) Prestidge Leonard Prestidge Liverpool 8b 262 However it is a grasping of straws I think. Any help to find out where I might find his records, just a couple of clues - perhaps to the name of his father and the area he lived might help. Many thanks in advance, Regards, Mavis Williams
Hello Mavis, You may not have an easy time tracking his parents but if it helps you his next of kin was his Grandmother Louisa Pestridge 32 ??odds Drive Connahs Quay Cheshire cannot decipher from his card (Dodds?)so I will post below and see what others make of it ? Kyle
A couple of other related documents confirming Connahs Quay ? Inputting 32 Dodds Drive and Connahs Quay into the 1939 Register plus surname PRESTIDGE gives 3 seperate hits Dilys O PRESTIDGE born 1916 and Arthur H PRESTIDGE born 1913 (1 more person who is officially closed) and Louisa PRESTIDGE born 1880 (1 more person who is officially closed) Kyle
Thank you so much Kyle, although I have FMP it didn't show that Card! It is Dodd's Drive, I live in the area, that's why I am researching the Connah's Quay and Shotton War Memorial (WW2). I cannot thank you enough and I am so glad he's not alone now, he belonged to someone! Kindest regards, Mavis
Mavis - there is a family tree on Ancestry that includes his name https://www.ancestry.co.uk/family-tree/person/tree/110871281/person/110095623239/facts?ssrc= Leonard Prestidge 1926–1942 BIRTH 1926 • Liverpool, England DEATH 28 NOV 1942 • At Sea Leonard Prestidge Birth: 1926 - England Death: 28 Nov 1942 F: (Name Unknown) M: Elizabeth Prestidge TD
With your help Kyle, I have traced the family, as I researched the WW1 names on the Connah's Quay & Shotton War memorial and Leonard's grandfather was killed in 1915. I am sorry, but as I have researched so many it wasn't until you gave me a clue that it all came together. Grandfather Alfred's story is on flintshirewarmemorials.com - Connah's Quay and Leonard is mentioned. You will think I am stupid, but each serviceman is a new challenge,and I have been researching for 7 years and stories merge. Thank you though, and anyway, you gave me more documents that I may have missed. Kindest regards, Mavis
Tower Hill Memorial panel from my photo collection Cabin Boy PRESTIDGE, LEONARD JAMES Died 28/11/1942 Aged 16 M.V. Empire Glade (Glasgow) Merchant Navy
Thank you all for this help. Apologies to TD for not acknowledging his contribution above, I was so excited, I thought it was Kyle again! Without his help I couldn't have done it, connecting the dots! Thank you so much for this photograph CL1 too, completing his story, which I will now add to flintshirewarmemorials.com. Kindest regards, Mavis
Don't know if this is a relation, but if so, might be the reason behind his name? Name: Leonard Prestidge. Regimental Number: 17136 Regiment: Notts and Derby (Sherwood Foresters) Regiment, 12th Battalion Rank: Corporal. Medals: Military Medal.
