Military Chat

I am keen to find out about the Merchant Navy career of my husband's Great Uncle John Thomas Mitchell of Whitby. He was born on 11th January 1891 to John and Esther Mitchell nee Hovington and he married Margaret Featherstone in 1917. We know that he was awarded the DSO for his service in the Second World War. The family say that this was for taking supplies to Mermansk during the Second World War. I know that these conveys sailed between August 1941 and May 1945. I have located a record of his DSO at the National Archives but it shows a date of 1939 so I am somewhat puzzled. Can anyone shed any light on this for me and I would also be grateful for any information about his career in the Merchant Navy and his service record. Thankyou.

I expect the date of 1939 is ‘from’ , but not the date of the actual award.

If you purchase the record, you’ll get the full details.

John Mitchell DSO
in the Web: UK, WWII Medals Issued to Merchant Seamen, 1939-1945
Name: John Mitchell DSO
Birth Date: 11 Jan 1891
Service: 1939-1945
Medal Issued/Claimed: 1946-2002
Discharge Number: 571978


I think it's just the dates of the war in which he served, or maybe the date he joined up..

And it looks like the award was made in 1946. Not sure what 2002 refers to.
I agree, you need to buy the record.


If you click on "Preview an image of this record" on the National Archives page, and then enlarge the watermarked image, you'll see that he's just one of several men listed on that record page , so it probably won't give you a huge amount of info. But it should let you see the headings of the different columns - one of which has the date 1939 circled.

Thank you both for your responses. I have the information you have given and have downloaded those records from the National Archives. I am not sure how to buy his service record.

His record may not have survived.

Info and instructions here:

https://tinyurl.com/y7ox5xza


Includes this -

"Seamen’s pouches, issued 1940-1972 but covering service 1913-1972

Merchant seamen who were discharged from the navy between 1940 and 1972 had their records filed in what became known as ‘seamen’s pouches’. Some of the seamen discharged during this period had been in service as far back as 1913 and the records reflect this.

>>>>>> Not every pouch survives and many were destroyed before any were transferred to The National Archives. <<<<<<< "


A search on that page produces no mention of him.

I meant purchase the record of his award - for full details - not his service record, which may not have survived

Thank you both.

is this him in ww1
there is a photo attached to image -- on find my past website

Britain, Merchant Seamen, 1918-1941

First name(s) John
Last name Mitchell
Event year 1918
Birth year 1891
Birth place Whitby
Birth county/country Yorkshire
Birth date 11 Jan 1891
Discharge number 571978
Identity certificate number 30274
Card type CR10
Archive
The National Archives
Series BT350
Date range 1918-1921
Record set Britain, Merchant Seamen, 1918-1941
Category Education & work
Subcategory Merchant Navy & Maritime
Collections from Great Britain, UK None

© Findmypast

birth 11.1.1891
no nok mentioned

Thank you Maddie. Yes is definitely him. Is right birth date. Is Find my Past a pay for website?

Yes, it is.

https://www.findmypast.co.uk/subscribe