Arctic Star

[Mogwi]

I have just secured the posthumous award of the Arctic Star for my father, having submitted a copy of his log-book showing 4 fighter sweeps in the Hammerfest area in Aug '44.

I came across the issue of medal by accident (issued in 2012) and I am sure there are guys out there with relatives who flew on Arctic Convoys who are likewise entitled.

Mog

[WE Branch Fanatic]

Can we still apply? My late Grandfather was an RN senior rate and took part in convoys up North.

[Pontius Navigator]

WE BF, yes, any time. Usual rules, serial number, ship, and if possible dates.

In my father's case I could find no record of any ships that he sailed on being involved though from what he told me, I was about 6-7, he might have been. I asked and the answer was no he wasn't. He was Merchant Navy. I applied for my mother-in-law for her late husband. It came through quite quickly.

[MPN11]

One of the most deserved [and belated] awards in UK medallic history. Everyone involved should have been awarded them asap.

[peppermint_jam]

Some infor here WE BF.

http://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/SN06564/SN06564.pdf

[Davef68]

WE BF, yes, any time. Usual rules, serial number, ship, and if possible dates.

In my father's case I could find no record of any ships that he sailed on being involved though from what he told me, I was about 6-7, he might have been. I asked and the answer was no he wasn't. He was Merchant Navy. I applied for my mother-in-law for her late husband. It came through quite quickly.

I may have asked this before, but does anyone know where you can check for merchant sailors? My grandfather spoke of being on the Arctic Convoys, but we don't have any direct evidence (His paperwork seems to have been lost at some point), I have his other medals and would like to 'complete the set' if elligible.

[Wensleydale]

From the Gov website about medal records...



If a seaman is not listed, it may be because they have not claimed their medal entitlement. To find out about a seaman’s entitlement, contact the Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen (http://www.dft.gov.uk/mca/mcga07-home/workingatsea/mcga-trainingandcert/dops_-_west-newpage-22.htm).

[Pontius Navigator]

Davef68, I got a copy of my father's merchant marine records from the Marine and Coastguard Agency at Cardiff and they helpfully translated some for me too. I don't think they even asked for a fee. I am not sure but the records may have been transferred to Halifax, Nova Scotia.

PS, I see WD's link is to the MCA. To expand on what was provided, I got a copy of the signing on register for the British sailors and their rate of pay for each ship he served on. Using other sources checking the war service of each ship he had been on showed that he did many short hops, Liverpool to Cardiff for instance. There were actually very few when the signing on period coincided with a particular convoy. This is at odds with the number of theatre awards that he had - Burma, Pacific, Atlantic, France and Germany, and Italy. I could trace the probable qualification passages for all apart from the Italy Star.

As far as Arctic Convoys there are lists of ships that made that perilous journey. Perhaps more US ships than British and a fair number of foreign too. This list will help you focus on your grandfather's. Do you know which company he was employed by?

[Davef68]

Thanks guys, he was with Denholms of Glasgow. If this had been 25 years ago, I had a relative that was a Director there and could probably have found a lot more quickly!

He also had Africa (plus rose), Italy and Atlantic (Plus France and Germany clasp)

[arem]

People didn't just get it for convoy work - my father was a FE on 9 sqdn and was involved in the Tripitz campaign which involved flying to northern Norway above the Arctic Circle.

As a result he was awarded the star which I received through the post last year.

[Pontius Navigator]

arem, as also the Hurricane crews.

[Pontius Navigator]

Davef 68, I found the following link

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://ninetradesofdundee.co.uk/download/mariners_%26_seamen/masters_etc/Capt%2520J.%2520M.%2520Henderson.pdf&ved=0ahUKEwjK4Zbfn73RAhXIdlAKHddXCGwQFggiMAM&usg=AFQjCNF0jpvHQh_dv39KUtnd8utmY22L6A&sig2=UiSGfrtgHAQkDpbhIQaaAQ

[Davef68]

Cheers PN! He would have definitely known at least one relative, and quite possibly others, including my grandfather. Interesting mention of the Eldonpark as this is one of the ships we knew Grandfather had served on

Must put some time into this at the weekend

[Union Jack]

Davef68 - If I may be so bold, it may be that the first two of the Ships Nostalgia (http://www.shipsnostalgia.com) forums I referred to PN at Post #51 on the indirectly associated thread entitled "Who else deserved and missed out on an award" would help you with any further research.

Jack

[Davef68]

Thanks, I think I looked at them before as well, I just don't hold facts as well as I used to! :-)

[Chugalug2]

PN, Captain Henderson is credited with the laying of the post war "transatlantic telephone cable PLUTO" in the link you posted. PLUTO was of course the Pipeline Under the Ocean laid from the IoW to France in support of the Allied 1944 Invasion of Normandy, et seq. I suspect that the post war telephone cable referred to was TAT1 which was laid in 1956 by the cable ship Monarch:-

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/5375796.stm