Hi, I'm wondering of anyone out there might be able to give me any pointers or assistance in finding out about a James McAvan born 1912 in Dundee. I have the following information on him: 1912 birth Dundee 1936 resident Dundee, occupation coal carrier 1940 marriage Grangemouth, occupation Ship's Steward 1944 occupation Chief Petty Officer 1945 occupation Petty Officer 1974 death Dundee I have a limited understanding of things military, but having been a Petty Officer my understanding is that James must have been in either the Royal Navy or Merchant Navy? I have searched for him in the following record sets with no results; - Royal Navy Seamen's services Continuous Record cards 1925–1939 (ADM 363) - Officers' Service Record Cards and Files (ADM 340) - RNR Officers and ratings who served up to 1946 – sample of Record of Service cards (BT 164) - Ancestry UK, Navy Lists, 1888-1970 If anyone could point me towards any other records online that might be of help I would appreciate it, or if anyone might have any insight into the navy around Dundee in WW2 I'd be very grateful. With thanks, J
Hi J and welcome, I have checked available online MN records without success, there are others not online. However, I suggest he was Royal Navy and records for this period are not available online. You would need to obtain them from the MOD - Get a copy of military service records Regards Hugh
Hi Hugh, Thanks for your response, and for doing a search of MN records. You mentioned that you think he might have been Royal Navy, is there something in the information that I provided that might suggest this? Thank you for the link for applying for records from the MOD. Regards, J
Not my area, caveat aside now. Wiki indicates Petty Officer and Chief Petty Officer were Royal Navy ranks, by giving their Merchant Navy ranks: Equivalent Royal Navy ranks in the Merchant Navy - Wikipedia and https://www.maritimemanual.com/merchant-navy-officer-ranks/ This long piece of law appears to be the source for Wiki: The War Pensions (Mercantile Marine) Scheme 1964
Thank you, that's very helpful. So it's possible he may have been in the Merchant Navy first, as he was a Steward, and then went to the Royal Navy. J
The ranks of Petty Officer and Chief Petty Officer are not commissioned officers, they are non-commissioned officer ranks (NCO). They would not be listed in official naval publications, like the Navy List. I assume you have none of his documents, photos or medal(s)? Or which vessels / shore establishments he served on or at?
Unfortunately I don't have any documents or medals. I have a photo from a newspaper, but unfortunately he isn't in military attire. I've pieced together his occupations from newspaper clippings, his marriage cert and a child's birth cert. But I haven't got any information on where he served. He was born in Dundee and as far as I know lived in there all of his life. I suspect, but have no evidence, that he may have had some connection with Glasgow (John Brown's shipyard?) and also with Durham during the war years. J
It is possible yes. Ship's steward is more of a MN term but it may be just the way it was copied on the document you have. I have checked records prior to 1941 and he is not mentioned - that does not mean he didn't serve just that any record doesn't appear to have survived - not all did. Post 1941 personal service records are not online for the MN so you would need to go to Kew or use a researcher to check. I would suggest you go down the route of my #2. CPO and PO are naval senior ratings, It will cost you £30 and you will have a bit of a wait. Regards Hugh
Or go the free route get a copy of death certificate cost £10 (which you will need regardless for Service records) apply to the MoD medal office for his medal entitlement, they will right back within a couple of weeks with his medal entitlement and most crucial his service number mid he was MN they will inform you and will send it to Cardiff you can then apply for his SR and pay £30
