Merchant Navy Records

[Kevin Matthews]

Hello All, I just joined this group and I am trying to locate any information on my Grandfather John Joseph Matthews, who served in the Merchant Navy from 1909-1912 until he retired in 1948 or so. He was born in Dublin Ireland in 1882/1884 and served in the Royal Navy from 1902 until 1908. Any information would be very helpful in my genealogy research.
Thanks
Kevin Matthews

[wightspirit]

This might be him: https://www.merchant-navy.net/forum/...y-records.html but more likely here: Name Matthews, John Joseph Official Number: 209815 Place of Birth: ... | The National Archives

Dave W

- - - Updated - - -

Or this might be him: Name Matthews, John Official Number: 216487 Place of Birth: Dublin,... | The National Archives

Dave W

[Doc Vernon]

This is his Medals as Marian has given the Link!
Cheers

Matthews J J.JPG

You will need to get his CRS10 for his full Merchant Navy Service Records at the National Archives
Cheers

Think this will be the correct Link to his Papers

Reference:	BT 382/1051
Description:	Maben J M to McAlindon W
Date:	1941 Jan 01 - 1946 Dec 31
Held by:	The National Archives, Kew
Former reference in its original department:	1035
Legal status:	Public Record(s)

https://discovery.nationalarchives.g...ls/r/C10989276

[happy daze john in oz]

I have noticed of late we are getting more and more people attempting to find out about relatives who served.
I consider this to be a very good thing, it shows there is still interest out there about the British Merchant Navy as it once was, the very best.

[Ivan Cloherty]

I always find it a pity that people didn't talk to their fathers,grandfathers, uncles, etc about their lives when they were alive, I feel sure they would have appreciated it, especially as they became older., sharing fond as well as unpleasant memories. Having a list of ships or medals is not a substitute for the spoken word by the individual. Having a list of ships and medals probably does not convey anything at all about what the individuals life was really like. People should be appreciated whilst they are alive, trying to live in their shoes when they are dead is meaningless.

Just my view

[j.sabourn]

Records in most cases show the bare outlines of disasters be they in war or peace. Most people who have suffered obscene sights and horrendous deformations of body and person do not have a tendency to transfer such obsenities to others and cause them the same nightmares , also by not being a gobshite they are showing respect to those who would not want loved ones to see mutilated bodies. Anyone who goes around shouting how good he was to all and sundry is that first named subject/object described as a gobshite. The best thing you can do for your own sensibilities if you are religious go and light a candle for them on the anniversary of their death, if not have a drink and toast them and remember them as they lived. We all know people and family who have died and we all mourn in different ways , but to want to know the nitty gritty of how they died and to what degree they suffered is unhealthy for all concerned. JS

[cappy]

Also its a great pleasure to see our own marion giving so much time and resources to these continous calls for info on past MN seamen ....the speed at which she delivers is amazing ...well done bonny lass R683532

[j.sabourn]

#9... Yes he is getting a bit thin on top Marian , Ohhhh sorry thought you said bald. JS

[Kevin Matthews]

Thanks a million for the replies! I do have a copy of his Royal Navy 216487 listing his ships sailed on and records for the period 1901 to 1908 and that appears to be the correct JJ Matthews. However, is there a copy of his enlistment papers noting the names and addresses of his next of kin or his parents? That would be very helpful to my research as I have no link beyond his name, no father/mother/siblings!

[Kevin Matthews]

Thanks for the assistance. Yes I would like to obtain his MN records and his RN enlistment record if possible!