Hello all, I want to track down my Paternal grandmother's service record for when she was in the WRNS but I don't have her service number or exact dates of service. Gladys Maud Clark, B. 1913. I know she served through the war and her husband, PO Telegraphist Reginald Walter Winstanley Clark was killed on the SS Yorkshire 17th Oct 1939, and she lived in Honicknowle, Devon at the time. That's all I have. Is this enough to track the record? many thanks Chris
This web site provides this info: WRENS [Archive] - British Genealogy & Family History Forums Records for WRNS ratings enlisting 1939-1955 are held at: The Directorate of Personnel Support (Navy) Navy Search TNT Archive Services Tetron Point William Nadin Way Swadlincote Derbyshire DE11 0BB Tel: 01283 227913 Fax: 01283227942 E-mail: navysearchpgrc@tnt.co.uk OR your other option would be to contact MOD at Glasgow Address: 65 Brown St, Glasgow G2 8EX Phone: 0141 248 7890 TD
Was your grandmothers maiden name 'Rice'? - married 1935 Plympton? Do you have details of your grandfather Reginald? TD
SS Yorkshire: Yorkshire (British Steam passenger ship) - Ships hit by German U-boats during WWII - uboat.net
UK, Commonwealth War Graves, 1914-1921 and 1939-1947 Name: Reginald Walter Winstanly Clark Age: 34 Birth Date: abt 1905 Death Date: 17 Oct 1939 Cemetery: Plymouth Part 2 Burial Country: England Father: Walter Clark Mother: Elizabeth Ann Clark Regimental Number: D/J 106711 Region or Memorial: Memorial Register Other Records: UK, British Army and Navy Birth, Marriage and Death Records, 1730-1960 Name: Reginald Walter Winstanly Clark Event: Death Birth Date: 9 Sep 1906 Birth Place: Fulham, London Death Date: 17 Oct 1939 Death Age: 33 UK, Royal Navy Registers of Seamen's Services, 1848-1939 Name: Reginald Walter Winstanly Clark Gender: Male Birth Date: 9 Sep 1906 Birth Place: Fulham, London First Service Date: 1 Aug 1929 First Ship Served On: Bee (Ladybird) Last Service Date: 7 Nov 1939 Last Ship Served On: Drake 1 Service Number: J. 106711 UK, Royal Navy Registers of Seamen's Services, 1848-1939 Name: Reginald Walter Winstanby Clark Gender: Male Birth Date: 9 Sep 1906 Birth Place: Fulham, London First Service Date: 13 Jan 1923 First Ship Served On: Ganges Last Service Date: 7 Sep 1928 Last Ship Served On: Hermes Service Number: J106711 England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 Name: Reginald Walter W Clark Registration Year: 1906 Registration Quarter: Oct-Nov-Dec Registration district: Fulham Parishes for this Registration District: View Ecclesiastical Parishes associated with this Registration District Inferred County: London Volume: 1a Page: 293 You may be able to find out more if you can find the report mentioned in this image UK, British Army and Navy Birth, Marriage and Death Records, 1730-1960 Name: Reginald Walter Winstanley Clark Event: Death Death Date: 17 Oct 1939 TD
There were 3 RN Casualties in SS Yorkshire BUTLIN, James, Chief Yeoman of Signals, RNVR, D/BD/ 416 (Drake I, O/P), killed CLARK, Reginald W W, Petty Officer Telegraphist, D/J 106711 (Drake I, O/P), killed JONES, Francis J, Chief Yeoman of Signals, D/JX 146045 (Drake I, O/P), killed Petty Officer Telegraphist Reginald Walter Clark ( - 1939) - Find A Grave Photos
That's superb stuff, thank you very much for that - much appreciated indeed! Where it says "Drake I, O/P)" on the casualty list... what does that mean? did he actually die of wounds at HMS Drake? Or was he lost at sea? many thanks once again Chris EDIT: I see from TD's documents that he was missing - presumed dead at sea. i know thousands of men died the same way, but what a horrible way to go.
Looking at the casualty list again, I would presume that the torpedo struck the ship right where the signals room was.
So why where they passengers on a ship coming from Rangoon to Liverpool? Looking at previous service 1937/38. HMS Cockchafer and Scorpion were gun boats in the Yangtze river. So I guess they were returning home after completing a tour of duty in the china seas.
Most of your questions have been answered already by the crew. Just to add a little. HMS DRAKE was the RN barracks in Devonport and DRAKE (I) would be an accounting base looking after his admin. He was a passenger along with many other military ranks returning from the far east . WRNS service records from 1939 to present are held by the Ministry of Defence - Request records of deceased service personnel - GOV.UK Regards Hugh
Hi guys, Thanks Hugh, that's interesting to know about why it says Drake on the record. With regards to contacting the MOD for her service record... do they HAVE to have her service number? Or can they work without it... it would just take a bit longer? Thanks for that photo of the memorial panel CL1. I know the RN casualties are on the Plymouth Naval War Memorial. Thanks again Chris
Hi Chris, A missing service number will not stop them finding her record but it would be helpful. A copy of the death certificate is required. Regards Hugh
