Great grandad stuck in Murmansk in ww1, any history advice welcome

[Icarebecauseyoudo]

Hi,

We have few war stories in our family so I'm trying to find out the most about what we do have.

We have one great story about Robert storey, born 1882 in Sunderland, a merchant seaman.

He was apparently stuck in Murmansk during ww1 for months in the winter, and lived on a diet of cargo ...baked beans for months. Vowed he would never eat a baked bean again. Must have been a nice aroma on that vessel

Just wondered what anyone knew of the history here... Was he blockaded in or iced in? Any details of the names of merchant ships that got to Murmansk in ww1 and what were the dangers?

Thanks in advance

[Icarebecauseyoudo]

Strangely we've discovered a record of him as Robert Bruce storey just covering 1917 , and it's a Royal Navy record . Yet we thought he was just a merchant seaman. Were merchants recorded by the RN for any reason ?

[horatio2]

He was either RN (including RNR/RNVR) or Mercantile Marine (MM) - not both at the same time - and their records are quite separate. MM records were not administered by the Admiralty.

The RN stoker you have found was born 20 Jan 1888, not 1882, and enlisted in 1917:- http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D6997964

Thanks to the Gulf Steam, Murmansk is generally an ice-free port. The RN North Russia Squadron was based there from late 1917 but warships and trawlers had been based in the White Sea since mid-1915.

[Icarebecauseyoudo]

Thanks horatio

Robert Bruce Storey is definitely him, so either the Robert Storey of 1882 is a different one, or the DOB is wrong

Were merchant ships comandeered by the RN in 1917 and would this lead to the record from the RN?

[horatio2]

Merchant ships and their crews were hired by the Admiralty and by the government (for naval or mercantile service) but the crews were not enlisted into the RN and would, therefore, have no RN Record. Ratings of the MM could enlist in the RN in the normal manner and many did.

[Icarebecauseyoudo]

Thank you

I guess this must have happened for him to have a listing at Kew under the RN, rather than just as a merchant?

Could he have enlisted just for 1917?

[horatio2]

Could he have enlisted just for 1917?

No, he would have had to enlist for a normal 12 year RN engagement. After the Armistice (in 1919 or later) he might have been given a free discharge.

[Icarebecauseyoudo]

No, he would have had to enlist for a normal 12 year RN engagement. After the Armistice (in 1919 or later) he might have been given a free discharge.

Curious then... it appears this only covers 1 year....

• Name Storey, Robert Bruce. Official Number: K40104. Place of Birth: Sunderland, Durham. Date of Birth: ...

  Admiralty: Royal Navy Registers of Seamen's Services. Stokers. Name Storey, Robert Bruce. Official Number: K40104. Place of Birth: Sunderland, Durham. Date of Birth: 20 January 1888.

  • Collection:Records of the Admiralty, Naval Forces, Royal Marines, Coastguard, and related bodies
  • Date range:01 January 1917 - 31 December 1917
  • Reference:ADM 188/947/40104
  • Subjects:Armed Forces (General) | Navy

[horatio2]

If you download the record you will see his dates of service. You are mis-reading the information above recorded as "Date range". Those dates refer to the year in which he first enlisted - they are not service dates and do not reflect his actual dates of enlisting and discharge.

[Blackblue]

He was a Stoker 1. From his papers he served at Victory II (training) and appears to have served on HMS Suffolk (heavy cruiser) from May 1917 to December 1918.

You can read Suffolk's Log Books here:

http://www.naval-history.net/OWShips-WW1-05Suffolk2.htm

His RN Medal Roll indicates he was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.

The Suffolk was with the expedition to Vladivostock in late 1918 and detached a number of crews and guns, which were mounted on a train.

Rgds

Tim D

[Icarebecauseyoudo]

If you download the record you will see his dates of service. You are mis-reading the information above recorded as "Date range". Those dates refer to the year in which he first enlisted - they are not service dates and do not reflect his actual dates of enlisting and discharge.

Ok, thanks

He was a Stoker 1. From his papers he served at Victory II (training) and appears to have served on HMS Suffolk (heavy cruiser) from May 1917 to December 1918.

You can read Suffolk's Log Books here:

http://www.naval-history.net/OWShips-WW1-05Suffolk2.htm

His RN Medal Roll indicates he was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.

Rgds

Tim D

Fascinating stuff Tim, how did you access that? Does it seem that he was discharged at the end of the war?

[Blackblue]

In his Service Papers at National Archives and his Medal Roll is on Ancestry. PM me your e-mail and I will send them to you.

Suffolk was on the China Station, but appears to have been in Russia in late 1918. See previous Post.

http://www.naval-history.net/WW1Book-RN5b.htm#9

Tim

Discharge appears to be 31 July 1919.

[Blackblue]

Are you sure this is your man? He is listed as a Butcher from Durham?

[Icarebecauseyoudo]

Are you sure this is your man? He is listed as a Butcher from Durham?

It surely is

We only discovered the middle name Bruce at the weekend, on my gran's wedding certificate

Vladivostok could easily have become confused with Murmansk

[Blackblue]

Given he gives his occupation as a butcher on enlistment he may have gone into the Merchant Navy later after the RN.

He may well have gone back to Russia with the MN in 1919/1920 as British support to the White Russians continued until 1920.

Rgds

Tim

[Blackblue]

There are a couple of Robert Storey's listed in the MN cards. Only one is listed born Sunderland on 12 July 1882.

Totally different date of birth to the RN man, but same birthplace. Might he have given a false age when he joined the RN? Do you know if the photo is him...presumably taken 1919.

He has engagements 1919/1920 listed here and further cards for engagements over the period 1924 to 1935.

Rgds

Tim

[Blackblue]

I think this MN Robert Storey is a different man.

There are a few born Sunderland on England census...your RN man in 1888 with parents George and Mary and brother Ernest. This man appears to be 1882 with parents Robert and Margaret.

Rgds

Tim

[Icarebecauseyoudo]

Yes, huge thanks to Tim for looking at this

Ours is the 1888 Robert Bruce Storey, a butcher by trade

And a surprise - surely his tale was being 'stuck' in Vladivostok for a year, not Murmansk

And the idea of him being merchant navy - must have become confused with his son - my granddad, who had a long career in the MN

[Blackblue]

Yes mate. HMS Suffolk was based in Vladivostock from Jan 1918 to Jan 1919.