Merchant seaman, war service

[gandalf458]

My grandfather Arnold Edwin Fell was a merchant seaman. I know he was a seaman before the war - he was a passenger on the Trent from Barbados to Southampton arriving 16 Mar 1914 and his occupation is given as seaman. I have his identity and service certificate which gives 4 ships he served on between 1918 and 1921.

I also have copies of his RNVR service record - which shows he was in the RNVR from May to Sept 1919 - and his medal card. I would like to find his war service record but don't know where to start.

Thanks

[horatio2]

He was in the post-war Mine-Clearance Service (MCS) RNVR so no medals for that period. His MCS engagement papers at the Fleet Air Arm Museum may give more details of his previous service.

He did not qualify for medals as an Mercantile Marine Reserve (MMR) rating under Admiralty orders but for the Mercantile Marine Medal as a merchant seaman.

[gandalf458]

Thanks Horatio. I thought it was mine clearance. He was on the Denis Casey from 19 May 1919 to 11 Sept 1919. From 19 May to 15 July the base ship was Hecla II and from 16 July to 11 Sept the base ship was Idaho. Do you know where I can find out where these ships were then?

He was awarded the Mercantile Marine Ribbon, British Medal Ribbon and Mercantile Marine Medal. Any idea where I can start to look to see where he served during the war?

[horatio2]

HMS DENIS CASEY was an Admiralty-owned trawler based on HMS HECLA II at Buncrana, Ireland from 12/3/1918. HMS IDAHO was the base ship at Milford Haven.

MM records are very difficult. Here is the Kew guidance:- http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/looking-for-person/merchantseamanafter1917.htm

[gandalf458]

Many thanks again, Horatio.

G