Hi All, I'm researching a relative, William Woodger, who was first mate on the SS Olev. I've found a bit in the London Gazette dated the 28th of November 1944 which says he was one of a group mentioned in dispatches for gallantry, determination, skill and undaunted devotion to duty in carrying supplies in Merchant Ships to the assault area on the coast of Normandy. I've seen the small packet at Kew that I thought was his record which contains a memo saying he was examined by xray on the 14th of June 1944 and then discharged sick from the SS Olev on the 23rd of June 1944 with a fractured left 10th rib. I presume this must have happened in Normandy so what I'm trying to find out is how I research this further, is there such a thing as a log for the merchant ship and if so where do I find it. I should add I have seen the Merchant Navy Movement Card for the SS Olev at Kew (ref BT-389-22-260) and frustratingly the 1944 pages seem to be either missing or weren't recorded. Thanks for the help, Michael
I will come back to this thread later when I have some time but in the meantime here are the movements for 1944 - you should already have them but these cards can be difficult to interpret at times. Note the year is split up in the cards below. Also cross refer the cards with Convoyweb. Regards Hugh
Thanks a lot Hugh, I have got those but can't see June on there. Any help would be really appreciated. Thanks a lot, Michael
Hi Michael, Sorry I noted you said you didn't have the 1944 pages so I posted them for you. The cards note the ship was on Special Service during that time but no actual info given. I suspect they got the movements from the Official Logbook. Where and when was William born please? 14 March 1907? Regards Hugh
Hi Hugh, No they help confirm I have downloaded the right record and I hadn't spotted the special service bit. William was born in 1907 at High Spen in Gateshead but lived at 190 Westgate Road in Newcastle most of his life. He's not on the 1939 register so I'm guessing he'd joined up by then but the file I've seen doesn't show his join date. Michael
I assume due to the above quote that you already have his Combined Office Merchant Navy Operations (COMNO) pouch for D Day and beyond - usually just info about the ship he was on and the dates etc but some pouches vary. BT 391/119/33 and medal file BT 395/1/106943 I will go and find his service record CRS 10 reference as that is not available online like the above. Hugh
Hi Michael, The Ship's Official Logbook for OLEV in 1944 is held at Kew in piece BT 381/2745 under the Ships Official Number 129038. It covers the whole year so I would suggest it would be best to view the file by visit. The log has many sections which include the Crew Agreements and the narrative and loads of other things you wouldn't be interested in so that is why I would suggest you see the document rather than get bits of it sent to you. The Master would also record the movements to and from each port although they were told not to do this in wartime. All those I have seen did record this information. If there was any danger to the ship the Logbook was thrown overboard. With regard to your relations personal service record his CRS 10 will be held at TNA Kew in piece BT 382/1995 This file will show his service from January 1941 until he leaves the service. I would imagine as he was the Mate that he probably served prior to 1941 but I can find no records in the Fourth Register of Seamen so you would need to use Crew Agreements beginning with his first known ship to work out previous service. The CRS 10 is not available online and is held in a block of up to 60 other names so best obtained by visit to Kew. I hope that helps - any questions please feel free. Regards Hugh
Hi Hugh, That is fantastic, thank you so much for your help and for explaining it all. I have a little list for the next time I get to Kew so I'll add those items to it and hopefully find out exactly what it is he was doing. Thank you again, I really appreciate it. Michael
Here is a rather grainy photo of her under her previous name of REGIS from 1909 until sold in 1938 when she was renamed OLEV. http://www.searlecanada.org/sunderland/images9/regis1.jpg http://www.searlecanada.org/sunderland/images17/RegisAustin1909JamesSmithStudy2017.pdf Regards Hugh
Thanks Hugh, she's a lot bigger than I imagined. Am I right in thinking she would have been bringing equipment over rather than troops? Michael
That's great, I know nothing about this side of things. I presume the MN would have brought the stores in a day or two after the landings? Thanks again, Michael
Yes, Logistics had to flow from day one to sustain such a force. ss OLEV was sailing in convoy from June 5 and appears to have continued on the Normandy run until November 19th of 1944. She was back and forward in the convoys listed below in June alone. Attachment below from ConvoyWeb By the end of June 1944 Allied ships had landed 850,279 men, 148,803 vehicles and 570,505 tons of supplies. Hugh
That's great, it really gives me a better idea of what he must have been involved with. Thank you so much for the help, Michael
