WW2 Arctic convoy crew lists / general question

[Daniel Hackett]

Hi everyone. I'm here on a possible family history question about a relative (Edward/Ted Hackett) who may have been on the arctic convoys during ww2..... Any pointers on where to start looking would be greatly received.

Relative in question I always assumed didn't play an active part in the war because he was a conscientious objector. In that case, would being in the Merchant Navy or involved in the convoys even be a possibility? Again, any answers on that would be really helpful.

Many thanks,

Daniel Hackett

[j.sabourn]

Hi Daniel others will probably give you the info. you require. If he was at sea in the MN however he chose the wrong profession if he had that choice, as would be on the front line, every time he went to sea. Not the place for an objector. Regards JS

[Doc Vernon]

Hello Daniel
Welcome to the site and I hope that it will give you a lot of enjoyment and info!
To get as much help as possible Daniel it would be good to list as much info as possible,such as DOB,Place of Birth etc and any little bits you may have to hand!

Just a question offhand! Any relation to a person they called Captain or Major Hackett from Birmingham?
Cheers

[Ivan Cloherty]

Hi everyone. I'm here on a possible family history question
Many thanks,

Daniel Hackett

Wrong profession for a conscientuous objector as John said, 15000 MN personnel lost their lives before a single bomb was dropped on London, but then again an ideal profession if you didn't mind getting shot at but couldn't fight back, believe it or not some merchant ships were armed with dummy wooden guns as there were not any real ones available, they were supposed to deter U-Boats coming too close, whether they worked or not has not been determined, but I doubt it very much

[Captain Kong]

I think the "conscientious objector" was someone who objected to killing other people and so many became Stretcher Bearers or Medics and not actually in a combat role in the Army.
So maybe Mr Hackett assumed that being a Civilian in the Merchant Navy was the next best thing to a Combat Role. and so became a Target instead.
Brian.
.

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Hi Daniel.
Welcome to the site,hope you get some information about Edward, as others have said he could have elected to join the MN as he wouldn't have had to kill anyone, whether that would have changed after seeing ships being blown up around him it's hard to say. Still you are here to see if you can find some info so good luck
Cheers Des

[Daniel Hackett]

Thanks ask for the comments so far. I've got some understanding about how grim and dangerous the convoys were, hence my surprise at the possibility me might have volunteered, and there was never much family conversation about the war, which I always assumed was because he was an objector and my grandma was from an old school military family. I'll do some digging on background info. Other than date and place of birth, what other details could be key?

[Doc Vernon]

Just as much info as you can dig up,as you never know some small thing could assist here!
So go for it!

You did not mention about my query as to Major Hackett ????? Possibly!???
Cheers

[Daniel Hackett]

Hi Doc Vernon. I'm not aware of any other related Hackett's who may have held military rank. My grandmother (maiden name Campbell) was from a military family though. I'll include it in my list of things to research though.....

[gray_marian]

#9, Hi Daniel, I presume you haven't got Edward's "seaman's pouch". Details relating to an individuals records.These documents may include application forms (most with a photograph of the seaman), certificates, identity cards, cessation documents and notifications of death. Some pouches contain a lot of information others virtually nothing. It's recommend getting the pouch as it is part of his service records. However, the record that will tell you what ship(s) he was on would be his CRS 10. This can be obtained at the National Archives.

If you supply Edward's dob & country of birth it would allow us to get started. Bearing in mind not all war time records are available on ancestry sites. Marian.

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