Hi all, I've tried to find the answer myself, but after several days I've given up; as it appears a fruitless task. So i've turned to you friendly experts on here. I'm researching my great uncle Jospeh Frederick James Cressingham who served in the Royal Navy prior to and during WW2, and have recently found a newspaper article about his 'arrival' in the USA in time for christmas 1941: - Hastings and St. Leonards Observer, Saturday, February 21st 1942. Joseph Cressingham, a British Petty Officer, lost his ship in the North Atlantic. When the warship which rescued him docked at an American port, he got in contact with his aunt at Pontiac, and arrangements were made for a furlough and a visit to Detroit and Pontiac for Christmas. On the telephone he asked if he could bring a shipmate, so Jack Gordon another British sailor went with him. The article continues with family 'chit chat' but does say that he was a Stoker Petty Officer and was 28 years old at the time (although this does not agree with his DOB of 1910). Family memories fail us all with Uncle Jo, The fact that he was a career 'naval man' is well known, that he was sunk (Twice, according to some family members) is also a family legend. But that is as far as it goes. Is there any way that I can find out which ship/s he served on?? The one I would particularly like to find the details of is the one he 'lost' somewhere before he reached the USA. I've assumed that he was on convoy duty and have searched for ships lost in the North Atlantic during November and December HMS Dunedin Nov 24th HMS Audacity Dec 21st HMS Stanley Dec 19th seem to be likely candidates. but: - 1) I don't know how long it would have taken to get to the USA in 1941 2) I've found lists of casualties, but none of survivors 3) I don't know if lists of Royal naval ships arriving in the USA during 1941 exist..(Which might give a clue to his original ship) Is there anybody out there that can help?? Thanks in advance for any info, comments or pointers (even negative ones) Best regards Paul Cressingham
For basic information - as I am not a naval expert, others on the site will be able to provide better, but this is a start: HMS Dunedin - http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-06CL-Dunedin.htm HMS Audacity - http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-05CVE-Audacity.htm HMS Stanley - http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-11US-HMS_Stanley.htm Perhaps a wander around this site (http://www.naval-history.net/index.htm) will throw up some more info TD edited to add: Can I also suggest if you edit your first post and use full editor (I think) you can add tags (Royal Navy etc), and these will be picked up by other members who are more specialised than I, as they will also be able to tell you how to obtain the naval service records of your great uncle - although I suspect you might need to check out this link as well https://www.gov.uk/requests-for-personal-data-and-service-records#how-to-apply-for-service-personnel-records , How to apply for Service personnel records
Hi TD. Thanks for all of that. I had planned on attempting to obtain his service record, but as all I have is his full name, his date of birth and year of death (and they have boxes for more info on the request form) I was a little put off trying at the moment, and thought I might try a couple of other avenues to see if I could find a little bit more information first (Personal and Naval). So here I am amongst the experts to see if I can find any of the latter... I had found the ship links that you've kindly given me (and the U-boat site, www.uboat.net) and have spent some considerable amount of time poring over them, looking at the casualty lists for Stoker Po's (HMS Dunedin for example lists 7 and 2 Stoker CPO's amongst the casualties, but as I have no idea how many Stoker PO's a destroyer, Cruiser or Escort Carrier would have had, it's a bit of a 'wing and a prayer; job and I don't know that it leads me anywhere). Trying to find the movements of the other RN ships mentioned in the narratives to see if anything comes up that gels with docking in the USA December 1941. But my knowledge of the RN is basically nil (We're an Army family and Great Uncle Jo broke the mould when he joined the Navy) so I'm not even sure I would recognise a useful lead if it bit me on the bum.... So onwards and upwards, and once again, many thanks for the interest and input Paul....
I think I am right when I say you can apply for his service records so long as you have his name and birth certificate. I would strongly suggest that obtaining his service record is a primary target in your quest, especially as it can take a while, the sooner the better. TD PS it might be worth contacting by PM member Hugh Maclean who is a naval man. Edited to add: I should have said his name and death certificate :ewink:
I saw the post T.D. but to be honest you gave best advice when you mentioned the service record. It has to always be the first step. Should the service record not mention any ships then I can advise the next step, but service record first. Regards Hugh
My father was one of the 25 survivors of HMS STANLEY. He was picked up by the Stork and returned to Plymouth.At 92 he is still alive I will ask him as he still has a good memory of the war days and particularly his crewmates. However I doubt anyone on that convoy HG76 would have got to the USA so relatively quickly.
Welcome to the forum Any updates/photos you have would be greatly appreciated by forum members regards Clive
