William Barclay Allan Mercantile Marine 748688

[Kazzy]

I am trying to trace what happened to William Barclay Allan. He is mentioned on the Gravesend War Memorial. Born in 1891 in Lanark he lived in Gravesend and is on the 1901 Census, family still residing in Gravesend in 1911. He obtained various maritime certificates at Tilbury before the war. I have his medal rolls card which states that he is deceased but I cannot find any ship he served on or infact where he died.

His medals were issued to his mother Mrs E Allan of 6 Portland Ave, Gravesend in December 1922.

Does anyone know where I can find more information?

[Terence Munson]

Hi,

This looks like your William

Terry

Here's the text:

Name: ALLAN, Wiliam Barclay

Date of death: 17 November 1918

Age: 27. Place of death: Piraeus

Place of birth: Lanark

Ship's name: Mesopotamia

Series: BT334 - Registers and Indexes of Births, Marriages and

Deaths of Passengers and Seamen at Sea Box:0073 Page:3

[sotonmate]

Kazzy

You would ordinarily be able to see a card index for merchant seamen but the series which covered the WW1 years was disposed of. Part was destroyed and part was taken on by the University of Newfoundland,Canada. The cards would normally list the ships served on,often by just the Official Number (for instance ON117399 was for the "Mesopotamia"). I occasionally see reference to people contacting U of N for a search on cards but don't know to what extent their records cover.

Post-1918 the card records are still maintained here.

[Kentishwolf]

Kazzy,

not sure if you are still visiting, or interested in this.

If so, see attached from Gravesend Cemetery.

Andy.

[Kentishwolf]

The gravestone is lying flat. I have a photo of William and a short press cutting if you would like me to email you an image, PM me your email address.

Andy.

[ernest james]

Hi Kazzy

I checked Ancestry to see if they had anything on William Barclay Allen under 'masters and mates certificates'.

He passed an examination to obtain a certificate of competency as a second mate in June 1916 at Tilbury. Number is 009973. This is probably the same document that you have. Ancestry also has a copy of his application form which details all his foreign voyages from 1909 to 1916.

best wishes

ernestjames

[Terence Munson]

Guys I fear this is another lost cause - Kazzy hasn't acknowledged any replies to the opening post made last January.

Terry

[Kazzy]

Hi Guys, I'm sorry I haven't replied to the above but due to family issues it has been difficult with a couple of bereavments is short succession. I appreciate the information sent; thanks ErnestJames I have a copy of the certificates. Thanks Terry for the death notification, that has helped greatly. And the photos of the grave are brilliant, thanks Andy. Still trying to track down a phot of the man himself but I expect it's a tall order. I am very grateful to all who have helped me in this search.

Many thanks

Kazzy

[Kentishwolf]

Kazzy,

Never a tall order!

check your emails, I sent one to the address you gave in your PM.

Andy.

[Kazzy]

Fantastic Andy!!!!

Thanks so much