Hello All, I'm researching the wartime service of the above gentleman. I understand he was awarded the Order of the Red Star and that he may have served on the Kingswood, but that's all. I'm hoping someone had some more info, thanks in advance.
hello and welcome i have sent a message to our MN expert hopefully they will be along shortly. regards Clive
Medal listing of Laurie, Wilfred Leitch Discharge number: R24001 Date of... | The National Archives Reference: BT 395/1/55139 Description: Medal listing of Laurie, Wilfred Leitch Discharge number: R24001 Date of Birth: 16 October 1906 Date: [1946-2002] Held by: The National Archives, Kew Legal status: Public Record(s) Closure status: Open Document, Open Description Access conditions: Open on Transfer Downloadable for £3.50 TD PS - there are several family trees for him on Ancestry Wilfred Leitch Laurie 1906–1979 BIRTH MAR 1906 • Hartlepool, Durham, United Kingdom DEATH JUN 1979 • North Cleveland, Yorkshire North Riding, England Wilfred Leitch Laurie Birth: Mar 1906 - Durham Death: Jun 1979 - Riding, England Marriage: 1935 Spouse: Edith Blair F: James Leitch Laurie M: Margaret Ann Calderwood
Hello Simon and welcome, He has some cards in the Fourth Register of Seamen including two photos late on in his service 1955/1959. I have transcribed them below. If you would like the cards can you private message your email address and I will pass on. 123738 – BLOEMFONTEIN – 29/4/1927 - 20/10/1927 – 1st voyage 146175 – CITY OF DERBY – 21/9/1928 - 19/6/1929 ?? ?? – 2/4/1930 147140 – CITY OF HONG KONG – 24/8/1934 123777 – CITY OF HALIFAX – 6/6/1931 146175 – CITY OF DERBY – 16/2/1932 – 5/8/1933 160733 – BRIARWOOD – 10/4/1935 147792 – HAZLEWOOD – 11/9/1937 160728 – MAPLEWOOD – 27/4/1939 164832 – NORTHWOOD – 28/8/1958 169159 – COPSEWOOD Tricky Dicky has linked to his medal file. He also has a Combined Office Merchant Navy Operations (COMNO) pouch held at Kew in piece BT 391/60/164. This file indicates service on a ship involved in the Normandy landings 1944 and beyond. His main service file [CRS 10] from Jan, 1941 will be held at Kew in piece BT 382/983. This file will contain a list of ships including ports of embarkation and discharge as well as other information. These files best obtained by visit to Kew or via a researcher if unable to visit Wilfred Leitch Laurie was the second engineer aboard ss KINGSWOOD - a British Cargo Tramp. Joseph Constantine SS Line. 5080 tons. Speed 10 knots. Built in 1929. Torpedoed by U-515 and sunk in the Gulf of Guinea on 17th December 1943. London Gazette 11 April 1944 - Permission to wear a Soviet award for the carriage of armaments to the USSR. He was awarded the Order of the Red Star. I hope that helps. Regards Hugh
Kingswood (British Steam merchant) - Ships hit by German U-boats during WWII - uboat.net Crewlist from Kingswood (British steam merchant) - Ships hit by German U-boats during WWII - uboat.net Perhaps you can contact this site and expand their knowledge of Kingswood and its crew TD The Type IXC U-boat U-515 - German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net
Thank you so much for this Hugh. I would pm you my email address but cant see how to on here, a little help please?
Top right hand corner next to your username - select 'inbox' then start a 'conversation' selecting Hugh as the recipient TD