Military Chat

I was watching WDYTYA the other evening and Marvin the chap searching found ( very easily!!) Records for his great grandfather who was in the Merchant Navy.
I have tried unsuccessfully to trace my relatives who were in the Merchant a Navy. Does anyone have any advice on how to search and where?

The National Archives would be the place to look.

There are also some records on Findmypast. If you want to give a name and year of birth I could have a look.

Kath. x

There are three of my wife’s relatives. Her father Clifford Beaumont Hitchens 1926-2008 was in the Merchant Navy at the end part of the 2nd W War for a few years.
Her great uncle Aubrey Hitchens 1906-1976 was in the Merchant Navy but not sure how long.
Her other great uncle, Harry Hitchens 1903-1968 was in the Merchant Navy, and possibly the Navy as well for many years, possibly during W War 2.
Thank you

There is this:-

First name(s) Aubrey
Last name Hitchens
Event year 1921
Birth year 1906
Birth place Penzance
Birth county/country Cornwall
Birth date ? ? 1906
Discharge number 1113894
Card type CR1
Archive The National Archives
Series BT349
Date range 1921-1941
Record set Britain, Merchant Seamen, 1918-1941
Category Education & work
Subcategory Merchant navy & maritime
Collections from Great Britain, UK None

On the image it says:-

Height: 5'6"
Eyes: brown
Hair: dark
Complextion: dark
Rating: Cabin Boy

The card is stamped with the date 11th September 1924. Not sure if this is his discharge date but I think it might be the date he left his 1st ship.

Ship name "Tregarthen".

Kath. x

WW2 records are still with the MOD so you won't find very much online.

The National Archives should hold some of the records.

Kath. x

I have tried to send you the image of the card. I think it has worked but I'm not very good at attaching things so apologies if it hasn't. Check your "messages".

Kath. x

Yes I did get it. Interesting that Aubrey’s records are available but not Harry who was in either the Merchant Znavy or Royal Navy all his working life. I’m pretty sure he’d have been in 2nd World War as he was born in 1903.
His brother, my wife’s grandfather was a soldier in 1st World War ( because he lied
about his age) but Harry and Aubrey were too young.

Just had another look and found this:-

First name(s) Harry
Last name Hitchens
Event year 1921
Birth year 1903
Birth place Penzance
Birth county/country Cornwall
Birth date ? ? 1903
Discharge number 1123609
Card type CR2
Archive The National Archives
Series BT348
Date range 1921-1941
Piece number 1
Record set Britain, Merchant Seamen, 1918-1941
Category Education & work
Subcategory Merchant Navy & Maritime

I'll try again with the image.

Also this card which I think is different:-

First name(s) Harry
Last name Hitchens
Event year 1921
Birth year 1903
Birth place Penzance
Birth county/country Cornwall
Birth date ? ? 1903
Discharge number 1123609
Card type CR1
Archive The National Archives
Series BT349
Date range 1921-1941

Kath. x

Thank you very much
Glyn

I’ve looked at the National Archives to find out more but I’m not very clear how to find out what ship or ships Harry Hitchens served on. It looks from his records as though he was on the SS ROYAL STAR but I can’t see to confirm that as I can’t get up the crew lists.
Can anyone help with that please as I’ve had great help locating his record so far
Glyn

Can't help with crew lists but this seems to be a photo of the ship - same number and tonnage as on Harry's card:-

http://www.bluestarline.org/royal1.html

I think the list of numbers and dates on the bottom of the card I sent might be numbers of ships he served on.

Kath. x

Info here about researching crew lists:

https://tinyurl.com/ya97emve

Thanks Argyll Gran. That’s very helpful too

might be useful
www.rmg.co.uk/research-guide

Thanks Elizabeth. I’ll check it out