I am trying to track down the service record and movements of George Macfarlane, service no. 1347497 DOB 26.8.1918 in Glasgow. I believe his enlistment began in Edinborough in April 1941 (Padgate 3RC) He served in the merchant navy in ww2, attaining the rank of Flight Sergeant. He was a diesel fitter and engineer. He was aboard the Wilhelmina when it was torpedoed and sank in December 1940 George saw service in the Mediterranean between 1941 and 1945, including Malta He eventually settled in Australia but said very little about any aspects of his life. If anyone can help with information or sites I would be very appreciative, as it is quite difficult to locate the sites that hold the information, let alone the information itself.
Hi, try running his name through the Discovery search engine at the National Archive website. You might find his Seaman's Pouch there. It's a great source of information. I got my hands on my uncles Merchant Marine pouch and it took me right up to the point he died before being sunk and drowned by a german u-boat. Good luck. (I meant Merchant Navy, not Merchant Marine )
Hi Michele, I've found the attached reference for the ship Wilhelmina. I think this will give you the shipping movement cards and are a real interesting read especially if they were part of a convoy. I couldn't find anything on George though. Was this his full birth name? I would have thought he might show up in the BT351 Medal Section and the Seamans Pouch Series BT372 doesn't show anything either. I also tried the spelling Mcfarlane, just in case but no George's match the year of birth.
Hello Michelle, Could we just check that again please, the details posted suggest he was in the RAF not the Merchant Navy?? Regards Hugh
