Defensively Equipped Merchant Ships (DEMS)

Discussion in 'The War at Sea' started by Alan Young, Feb 4, 2013.

  1. Alan Young

    Alan Young Junior Member

    Defensively Equiped Merchants Ships (DEMS)
    Any info on disposition of DEMS? In particular SS Fort Chambly. Period was Oct/Nov'43 till May '45. Interested in MRA 2nd Reg Maritime (LAA). I have father's service records that show training in Freetown Sierra Leone in Oct '44. I also have an envelope from a telegram (sadly, no telegram) that was sent to him c/o SS Fort Chambly via the Consulate in Beira, Mozambique but it bears no date! I also remember some stories about him visiting Buenos Aires. He told me he was on watch, in port in BA on the day peace was announced.
    I would be grateful for any info or direction anyone can provide.
    Thanks
    Alan
     
  2. Hugh MacLean

    Hugh MacLean Senior Member

    Welcome Alan,

    Looks like FORT CHAMBLY was in Freetown October 12th - 18th, 1944.
    Biera 29th August - 7th Sept, 1944. Details from ConvoyWeb - Arnold Hague Ports database

    You can also download the ship's movement card for £3.36 - | The National Archives

    Don't see a mention of that ship being in Buenos Aires though but you could double check with the movement card. Could he have been on another ship by then?

    Regards
    Hugh
     
  3. Could you give us your dads full name, date and place of birth?

    regards
    Roger
     
  4. Alan Young

    Alan Young Junior Member

    Hey Guys
    Thank you for the info.
    Dad's Name was John Young service No. 3130035 born 10 sept 1914 Stevenston Ayrshire Scotland. Was originally in tA and embodied into RSF, then posted to No.1 Independent Coy Then a stint in CMP and ended up in MRA(LAA)
    Thanks
    Alan
     
  5. Hello again,
    Had a quick peep at the movement card of FORT CHAMBLY official number 168820 whilst I was at the Archive today.
    It confirms she was at Beria between 28/Aug/1944 7/Sept/1944 after departing Karachi 14/Aug/1944.
    She sailed from Beira for Lourenco Marques and hence via the Cape and Freetown arriving at the Mersey Bar 10/Nov/1944 discharging in Manchester 13/14/Nov/1944.
    There is no mention of her being in Buenos Aires. On the 8th of May 1945 she was some where between Calcutta and Aden. So it would seem he was on another ship at this date but which one?
    Where to now. Do you have his service record? if not you should apply for it. Hugh will tell you the protocol.
    You should also get hold of the last 1944 logbook and crew agreement. It may have some helpful information and will at least tell you if FORT CHAMBLY was his first ship. You would need to visit the British National Archive at Kew. For legal reasons he would be one the Crew Agreement as a Deck Hand.
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    Roger
     
  6. Alan Young

    Alan Young Junior Member

    Roger, thank you so much for your help and assistance. I have my Father's service records but there are gaps in the detailed records. I have him posted to MRA 2nd Regt Maritime 13/11/43 with a note transferred to RA (LAA) under ACI 399/40 Class IV and Authy OIC RA(LAA) records letter LAA/enlist T/5138/937 dated from 3rd November 1943. In the section heade miltary History Sheet it states "SEE MARITIME CARD" with a breakdown of dates that shows him abroad until 29/8/43. How do I get a copy of this Maritime record??
    My Father told me he was in BA when they werre told the war was over. I think he was still on a DEMS as he also said all LAA guns had to be hidden as BA was "neutral". I have found two ships that were in BA on 8/5/45. Fort Pitt and Fort Douglas.
     
  7. Hugh MacLean

    Hugh MacLean Senior Member

    Ahh, the elusive 'Maritime Card'. One of the reasons RA DEMS gunners are difficult to track is that their service records don't usually name the actual ships they served on. We do know their information was kept on this Maritime Card which should be with his service records. I have seen plenty of RN and RA DEMS gunners records, some do have a card many sadly do not. May be worth checking again with the MoD asking specifically about the Maritime Card but you have to be prepared for it not to have survived.

    Regards
    Hugh
     
  8. My guess is the Maritime Card has not survived. If this is the case then its back to crew agreements.

    FORT PITT official number 168738
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    FORT DOUGLAS O/N 168338
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    It may be there were other Allied ships in Buenos Aires On the 8th of May 1945.( British DEMS also served on Norwegian and Dutch registered vessels)
    A search of the Admiralty War Diary may tell you.
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    regards
    Roger
     
  9. Alan Young

    Alan Young Junior Member

    Roger & Hugh, thank you for your time and comments. If I manage to get anywhere forwarward with this I will post.
    Alan
     

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