L/S Shepherd James Frederick EMPSON DSM, C/JX.145079, RN - Looking for Details

Discussion in 'Searching for Someone & Military Genealogy' started by brimacombe, Nov 5, 2018.

  1. brimacombe

    brimacombe Active Member

    Hi Guys

    Hoping a fellow forum pal might be able to throw up something on this one...

    I’m trying to put together a biography of this chap –

    Leading Seaman Shepherd James Frederick EMPSON C/JX.145079

    Awarded DSM (LG 11 July 1940) "For good services in the RN since outbreak of war"

    Also had the NGS medal with Palestine 1936-39.

    No indication of further medal entitlement.

    Born 31 January 1914 and married, in Liverpool, in 1942. Died in Liverpool on 1 March 1984.

    A trawl through newspapers hasn’t thrown up any further information regarding the DSM (though I did find a photo, along with two brothers, also in the RN).

    Can anyone add anything? Would really like to discover the reasons behind the award of the DSM, but would be grateful for any information that would add to the story of his service life.

    Thanks in advance, as always

    Shawn
     
  2. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    Hi Shawn

    Do you have access to Ancestry or other genealogical sites??

    TD
     
  3. brimacombe

    brimacombe Active Member

    I do TD - and have already spent some time going through them - but there aren't any extant military records, which I'm not surprised about - unless you have found something I've missed?
     
  4. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    NGS in your eyes means ? - Not sure there were any RN personnel who rec'd this medal :huh:

    I ask as sometimes we shoot off and find stuff only for the originl poster to say "yes I already have all that"

    TD

    The only Empsons I can find for the 1936 - 1939 GSM for Palestine are
    C Empson Treasury (Special Constable) Palestine

    J Empson 2nd Battalion Leciestershire Regiment Palestine
     
  5. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

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  6. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    Thanks Owen - just never seen one before, or naval references in the database

    TD

    Have been through every possible database on Ancestry for the Royal Navy or associated databases and his name does not seem to appear at all - the only place it does is in the LG a couple of times

    Perhaps the OP's friend need to send off for service records ?? Request records of deceased service personnel
     
    Last edited: Nov 5, 2018
  7. brimacombe

    brimacombe Active Member

    Thanks both - I know how frustrating it can be to go off and do a lot of work only to find the requester already has it! I'm a fairly seasoned researcher so always try to give the detail I have and the information I'd like to find, saves any confusion!

    I'm at the same place as you are regarding his appearance in records - couple of mentions in LG (Birthday Honours) but apart from that nothing.
     
  8. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    Suggest going back to square 1 - service records :)

    TD

    Going deeper in to the databases, altough the title covers a long period

    UK, Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 - I note within it for the Naval General Service Medal it only covers the periods 1793 - 1840 and 1909 - 1920 so your man wouldnt be there

    I also note that they do not cover any medals issued for Palestine - pre or post WW2
     
    Last edited: Nov 5, 2018
  9. timuk

    timuk Well-Known Member

    At the time of his award L/S Empson was serving in HMS Vanquisher.
    HMS Vanquisher was heavily involved in both evacuations of the BEF. Dunkirk (Operation Dynamo) and St Nazaire (Operation Arial).
    HMS Vanquisher
    Perhaps, or perhaps not, these actions led to his award.

    Tim
     
  10. brimacombe

    brimacombe Active Member

    I'd wondered about that too Tim, though the LG states "For good services in the RN since outbreak of war" - but I think it might be worthy pursuing, as it's obviously an award for an extended period of service rather than an individual act.
     
  11. timuk

    timuk Well-Known Member

    There is an article listed on FMP from the Dover Express 19 Jul 1940 which lists L/S Empson. Unfortunately I can't view it and it may just be a repeat of the London Gazette. Perhaps a Forum member with access or access to the BNA could have a look.

    Tim
     
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  12. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

  13. brimacombe

    brimacombe Active Member

    Tim the Newspaper Extract you refer to is a group of three photos, the sons of Mrs Empson, all of whom were in the RN at that time. The only other newspaper extracts are, again, LG lists.

    I think you're right TD, it might just have to be Service Records
     
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  14. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    Thats why hes mentioned in the Dover Express

    England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915
    Name: Shepherd J F Empson
    Mother's Maiden Name: King
    Registration Year: 1914
    Registration Quarter: Jan-Feb-Mar
    Registration district: Dover
    Parishes for this Registration District: View Ecclesiastical Parishes associated with this Registration District
    Inferred County: Kent
    Volume: 2a
    Page: 2096

    TD


    For Info:
    England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916-2007
    Name: Shepherd James F Empson
    Death Age: 70
    Birth Date: 31 Jan 1914
    Registration Date: Mar 1984
    Registration district: Liverpool
    Inferred County: Lancashire
    Volume: 36
    Page: 282
     
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