Genealogy Chat

This is probably a stupid question but I can't seem to find the answer. My Grandfather was in the Merchant Navy and took part in the Atlantic Convoys. His ship was torpedoed in early 1942 and he was killed but his body was never found. Where would his death have been registered and when? Thankyou, Helen

Have you looked on the war grave site for his death + details ? www.cwgc.org Dea x

Dea, I don't know what to say! I'd always assumed that that site was only for cemeteries and I know that he isn't buried anywhere. I've just discovered that he is on a memorial and I'm sure that my Father doesn't know this. I think he's going to be very happy. I also discovered that it was 1943 not 1942. So, if I go and have a look on Ancestry at the BMD, will I find him registered in 1943, and if so what will be the registration district? A very excited Helenxxx

Hi Helen, I'm glad you are so excited. - I don't know the answer to your question but if you give me some details on him, either on here, or by pm., I will see what I can find. Dea x

Georgette great news at finding out about the memorial however I have 2 relli's who went down with the Titanic their bodies never identified/found they never had a death cert. Ive been told by someone on here that being lost/death at sea unless a body is buried means no official cert for death..... I may be wrong obv as your relli died during wartime! Good luck

Georgette, If the CWGC names the ship, try googling its name and you will probably get more information and links to other sites. i did this for my cousin and found some really interesting information about what happened. Jay

Thank you for the offer Dea, I got so excited that I went straight off to Ancestry and got to 1947 before realising that he came from the Isle of Man and so probably wouldn't be on there :os Clare, I did wonder if that would be the case, hopefully someone will be able to tell me for sure. Janet, it does mention the name of the ship, I'll just go and give Google a go! Thank you everyone, Helenxxx

Ancestry have census for Isle of Man but I don't know about Bmd ? Let me know if there is anything I can help with. Dea x

Georgette, My G Grandad was killed in the Battle of Jutland, WW1 1916/ The ship exploded, so there was never a body, nor any chance of finding one. However, he is on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial. If you google the name of the memorial he is on, you should find a record in there. Also, if you have the name of the ship, google that, you will find loads of stuff on it. I was lucky and came across a photo of the crew of my GGrandads ship, and there he is, smack in the middle of them proudly sporting his full set. T x

Oopps just googled and I don't think I'll be sharing this information with my Father :os His ship was part of convoy SC-118 which was attacked by 20 U-boats between 4th Feb and 8th Feb 1943. His ship sank on the 7th. It must have been terrifying. I'm very glad he's on the memorial. Helenxxx