Can anyone help with my quest to find out how the Master of a small Merchant Navy vessel ended up in a CWGC plot in GRAYS, ESSEX. I have managed to find all of the info on the vessel, MV GOLDEVE 255 tons twin screw diesel built 1931 at Faversham, but can find no record of the captain Walter Charles Burt who died or was killed aged 57 in 1942. I know that the vessel was owned by EJ & W Goldsmith of Grays at the time of his death, but cannot find any information on how he died. Unfortunately i am not in a position to attend the records office personally nor can afford to subscribe to an ancestry site. Any help would be appreciated. If anyone is interested i have a photo of his vessel which survived the war and after a few change of owners ended up renamed the 'WARLIGHT' serving the Western Isles of Scotland. Mike Casualty Details | CWGC
BURT, Master, WALTER CHARLES, M.V. Goldeve (London). Merchant Navy. 9th October 1942. Age 57. Buried Thurrock (Grays) New Cemetery. Sec. 13. Grave 391. He is recorded in the March 1943 Deaths at Sea Register as dying from "Natural Causes" Although his death was non war related, he was still granted full war grave status. This is just one of many cases I have come across, which officially would not be granted to a Merchant Seaman as their deaths were according to the rules are only to be commemorated when they are seen to be lost as a result of “Increased War Risk” and the loss is confirmed by the Registrar General of Seaman and Shipping.
Hello Puffer and welcome. There may me mention of what happened to Captain Burt in the ship's official log. So in the hope that someone may be able to visit the Archives for you I will give you the file reference for 1942 which is held at Kew in piece BT 381/2068 You would need to ask for the Narrative of the official log for GOLDEVE official number 163299 for October/November 1942 It is important to ask for the Narrative as a ship's official log comprises many parts. Regards Hugh
Welcome Puffer from a fellow Essex lad. I might be going to TNA some time next month and with that ref from Hugh I might have time for a quick look. Will post on here if I know when I am going, or send me a pm. Just noticed - this should be my 100th post - do I get a book token or a chocolate medal or something?
Hey, Only just found this thread after all these years! Maybe you guys aren’t active on here anymore. Walter was my great grandad. Was just wondering if any of you ever discovered anymore about him? Maria
welcome to the forum Puffer has not been here since 2010 and only posted once and has not bothered to return Both Tonym and Mikel are dead Hugh is a regular on here and has given advice on how to find out more information regards Clive
UK, Merchant Seamen Deaths, 1939 -1953 Name: Walter Charles Burt Age: 57 Birth Date: abt 1885 Birth Place: Grays, England Death Date: 9 Oct 1942 Death Place: Sale of Sheppey Spouse: Ada Frances There are 19 public trees that include him on Ancestry Walter Charles Burt Birth 1885 Grays Thurrock, Essex, England Residence 2 Apr 1911 Grays Thurrock, Essex, England Marriage Jan 1913 Yarmouth, Norfolk Death Dec 1942 Kent, England Father Daniel Burt (1843-1897) Mother Elizabeth Stannard (1847-1929) Spouse ada f freeman (1893-1963) TD
Thanks for your quick response, Clive! I saw the advice, am planning on looking into it more when I go down to London next
Thank you ever so much for taking the time to share that with me, TD. I’m one of the trees ☺️ Completely stumped in getting any further back as so little family info to go off. My dad knows nothing about his family history. Really pleased to have found this much at least, & look forward to finding out more in the archives! Maria.
Hello Maria and welcome, I think that file is your best bet. Walter Charles Burt b.14.3.1885 served in both World Wars his WW1 medal file is held in piece BT 351/1/18679 - https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7986185 free of charge if you sign in. It looks like he was aboard barges and coasters. I have him on 31st December 1918 aboard CAMBRIA official number 110199 which was also owned by EJ & W Goldsmith. I also have an id photo of him if you would like it. Billy's comment is interesting I hadn't picked up on this one before but seems to me with regard to commemorations a precedent had already been set. I understand the rules of commemoration stated by the CWGC but I wonder why there is a double standard applied - they that served deserve a commemoration no matter how they died. Regards Hugh
Aw bless you, a photo would be really great! We don’t have any photos of him, would be so good to see him. The details about him being on Cambria are helpful too, thank you. I did see that he died of natural causes, so was surprised that he had a proper war grave. Interesting point raised by Billy. Although, I agree, those that have served should be commemorated. Really grateful for your replies! Maria
It is possible he was covered by the Merchant Navy Pension Act of the day, which entitled these men to full war grave status
