Walter J F Harris r104809 merchant navy help needed

Discussion in 'The War at Sea' started by James Harvey, Mar 22, 2018.

  1. James Harvey

    James Harvey Senior Member

    all

    Trying to find service record of the above seaman

    My mistake Walter J F Harris not WJR harris

    I believe he is same one on box below

    Awarded 39-45 star
    Atlantic star
    Italy star
    War medal

    Cannot find any records on find my past

    Any help greatly appreciated

    Regards

    James
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Mar 22, 2018
  2. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    The medal listing is :
    Reference: BT 395/1/40882
    Description:
    Medal listing of Harris, Walter J F
    Discharge number: R104809
    Date of Birth: 17 March 1914
    Date: [1946-2002]
    Held by: The National Archives, Kew
    Legal status: Public Record(s)
    Closure status: Open Document, Open Description
    Access conditions: Open on Transfer

    But thats for a Walter J F - not Walter J R ????

    TD
     
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  3. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    Ancestry:
    UK, WWII Medals Issued to Merchant Seamen, 1939-1945
    Name: Walter J F Harris
    Birth Date: 17 Mar 1914
    Service: 1939-1945
    Medal Issued/Claimed: 1946-2002
    Discharge Number: R104809
    URL: http://discovery.nationalarchi...

    Looks as though he worked pre war for the Post office in wireless communications
    British Postal Service Appointment Books, 1737-1969
    Name: Walter J F Harris
    Date Appointed: Mar 1932

    TD
     
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  4. James Harvey

    James Harvey Senior Member

    Thanks T D now to find his ww2 MN record
     
  5. Hugh MacLean

    Hugh MacLean Senior Member

    You wont find it on FMP - Just accept that for now and I will explain later. I will tell you where to look when i get some time but really busy at the moment.
    Regards
    Hugh
     
  6. James Harvey

    James Harvey Senior Member

    Thanks Hugh

    Regards

    James
     
  7. Hugh MacLean

    Hugh MacLean Senior Member

    Hi James,
    MN records are not the easiest to work through and there are many reasons for that. But generally speaking they are either in the Fourth Register of Seaman which effectively covers 1918 - 1940 - these records are held at Southampton City Archives with microfiche copies at Kew and also on £pay site FMP. Any seaman who served during that time period but who also continued to serve during WW2 had their records transferred into the Fifth Register of Seamen 1941-1972. You will find on occasion records held in both registers.

    So If I were you I would look for his CRS 10 in the Fifth Register of Seamen in the following file reference at Kew.
    BT 382/741
    His file should be in that piece reference with up to 60 other names - if it has survived. You may want to contact Lee or Drew to obtain it if you can't go yourself.

    Hope that helps.

    Regards
    Hugh
     
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  8. James Harvey

    James Harvey Senior Member

    Thanks Hugh

    Is there an online index?

    Regards

    James
     
  9. Hugh MacLean

    Hugh MacLean Senior Member

  10. Pat Atkins

    Pat Atkins Well-Known Member

    Without wishing to hijack this thread - thank you! My father's cousin (well, half-cousin, if such a thing exists) was Sydney Thaiss Atkins who was a steward on the troopship SS Nerissa and died when she was sunk on 30/04/1941. If/when I get to Kew I'll know where to hunt for his records if they survive.

    Cheers, Pat.
     
  11. Hugh MacLean

    Hugh MacLean Senior Member

    Hi Pat,

    Now this is where the Fourth and the Fifth Register of Seamen get a little complicated.
    As Sydney T. Atkins died in April 1941 - if he even has a CRS 10 it will hold minimal information. This is because he died in April 1941 and the CRS 10 only starts in Jan, 1941.
    His records are mainly in the Fourth Register.
    I have found a couple of cards and I can send them on to you if you wish - just pass me your email via private message.
    In the meantime I have transcribed them for you below.

    Sydney T. Atkins – Asst Steward. Dis.A – R152016. b. 17.4.1914, London. d. 30.4.1941 – missing supposed drowned. NERISSA.

    146025 – OTRANTO – 12.2.1937.
    164493 – ORION – 1.10.1938
    141866 – ORMONDE – 29.5.1940
    147369 – NERISSA – date of engagement unknown – see last Crew Agreement for sign on.

    When you go to Kew just check on any surviving CRS 10 – it should be held in piece BT 382/49.
    But as I said there won’t be much there if anything.

    Regards
    Hugh
     
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  12. Pat Atkins

    Pat Atkins Well-Known Member

    Thanks, Hugh. I appreciate the help! Will PM you.

    Cheers, Pat
     
  13. James Harvey

    James Harvey Senior Member

    Thanks Hugh

    Would he have a seamanship pouch?

    Regards

    James
     
  14. Hugh MacLean

    Hugh MacLean Senior Member

    James.,
    No pouch for Walter JF Harris,

    Regards
    Hugh
     
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  15. James Harvey

    James Harvey Senior Member

    Thanks Hugh
     
  16. James Harvey

    James Harvey Senior Member

    I have his crs10 file from national archives

    What is a N.R. Number
    It looks very much like a RN number as his is PMX 1466

    Regards

    James
     
  17. Hugh MacLean

    Hugh MacLean Senior Member

    James,
    NR = National Register [of 1939] The letters and number are not related to RN numbers in any way.

    Regards
    Hugh
     
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  18. James Harvey

    James Harvey Senior Member

    Thanks Hugh
     

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