I've found this headstone at Bootle Cemetery for William Frederick Rothwell (MN) who died on 9 March 1942, age 25. I assume that "MN" refers to Merchant Navy but he isn't listed on CWGC, nor can I find him in the "Merchant Seaman Deaths" on Ancestry. I don't suppose anyone else can find something?
Chris Harley is the expert here but MN deaths have to be directly related to war causes as a general rule
Maybe obtain a death cert copy and see what it says - if he died ashore as opposed to afloat that could be the difference and also what he died from England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916-2007 Name: William F Rothwell Death Age: 25 Birth Date: abt 1917 Registration Date: Jan 1942 [Feb 1942] [Mar 1942] Registration Quarter: Jan-Feb-Mar Registration District: Liverpool North Inferred County: Lancashire UK, Merchant Seamen Deaths, 1939 -1953 - this Ancestry database shows Rothwell deaths but all at sea or overseas, no William or Frederick though as you have already found TD
I suspect this file at Kew held in BT 372/32/96 is him. I can see no death at sea for him nor a death ashore. As Jon has stated MN deaths are treated differently to armed forces deaths with regard to commemorations. Death by natural causes or illness etc will not be classed as a death in service by the CWGC. Regards Hugh
Thanks, I'll add that to my list of lookups for when I eventually visit Kew again. It didn't occur to me earlier but I found him up in the 1939 Register, he was with his parents at 17 Florida Street, Bootle, occupation was "printers assistant heavy worker" but a note on the right hand page (only partially visible) indicates that he was Merchant Navy Reserve. I don't expect he would meet the criteria for CWGC, just hoping to find out a little more.