SS Observer - sunk December 16, 1942

Hello Neil,
I would refer you back to post #7. Websites give various casualty figures but the only way to be sure is to look at primary records. The crew agreement which I have indicated will tell you the names of all aboard and those who were lost.

Regards
Hugh

 

Hello Hugh,

I have been to the web site BT 381/1987 that you had kindly referenced in post #7 although being unfamiliar with navigating the National Archives web site I have encountered difficulty getting to the crew agreement.

I need more practice finding my way around the site.

Regards,
Neil

 

Hello Neil,
The crew agreement is best obtained by a visit to Kew. Unfortunately it will cost a lot to obtain online or using Kew's own research services. I would point you to our members PsyWar.Org or Drew5233 who both offer a very reasonable service.

Regards
Hugh

 

Hello Hugh,

Thank you kindly for pointing out the service that the noted two members offer.

Regards,
Neil

 

My Father-in-Law, Captain Eric Charles Swinfen (b.1914 - d.2000) was a serving officer aboard The SS Observer.

I am not sure of his rank at that time the ship was lost but it had to be 1st or 2nd Mate.

Prior to The SS Observer making her last and fatal sailing from the UK, my Father-in-Law went ashore and made his way by train to Liverpool to pick up his Master's Certificate.

The MS Observer sailed off without him and was sadly lost, along with many of his friends and colleagues.

His next commission was on the luxury liner The Dominion Monarch, on which I believe he served until just after the end of the War.

If anyone can come up with Crew lists of The SS Observer and/or The Dominion Monarch, that list E.C. Swinfen, I would be most appreciative.

P.D.F

 

Hello and welcome,
I can tell you that in 1943/4 he was aboard LARGS BAY and in 1945 he was aboard DOMINION MONARCH.

The 1943 crew agreement for LARGS BAY is held at Kew in piece: BT 381/2295.
The 1944 crew agreement for LARGS BAY is held at Kew in piece: BT 381/2782.

The 1945 crew agreement for DOMINNION MONARCH is held at Kew in piece: BT 381/3561.

I have given the OBSERVER, 1942 crew agreement in another post but it is held at Kew in piece: BT 381/1987.

I would advise you go about it in a different way if I were you. If you are not sure of his service history try and obtain his CRS 10 first which will list his war service and beyond if he stayed in the Merchant Navy.

Regards
Hugh

 

Thank you Hugh.

We do actually remember Dad mentioning a little of his time on the LARGS BAY but overall he spoke very little about his Merchant Navy career.

Occasionally, he would tell us of his time as part of the Atlantic Convoys and something of when The Dominion Monarch was used as a troop ship in the far east.

Sadly, we have no 'paperwork' for him at all in the family to be able to trace anything. We do know that he did not even claim his service medals after the War and we might just write off to claim them.

The only thing that we have of Dad's is the Sextant that he used during his time at sea. It is complete in it's original wooden box with makers name and calibration certificate.

Regards, Paul Fassam

 

Hi Paul,

If you have no paperwork such as his discharge books then you will need to do a bit of preparation before you apply for his medals. The medals office won't issue them unless you can supply proof of service from primary records. I can advise you on that if needed.

Regards
Hugh

 

Hi, Henry Farrand was my uncle. He was married to my Mums sister.