Looking for information about Alexander Shaw from Aberdeen?

[grafic1]

Hello, I am looking for information about the soldier Alexander Shaw. I know he was born in Aberdeen on July 13, 1884. and served in Chatham. He had the number M 19506. Thank you for any help.

[wightspirit]

Here's his record: https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7053688

 

Dave W

[grafic1]

Thank you. Don't you know about numbers on soldiers' watches? I just have a watch with the number of Alexander Shaw compatible with the number from the military archive M19506. I'm just not sure if I identify it correctly. greetings

[sotonmate]

G

 

Welcome to the Forum !

In case you need help with the record that wightspirit has posted you can click on the link and get some information in the preview. To get the copy to read you pay for it to be downloaded. Your man is, of course,a sailor who was a merchant sailor before the war and joined up just for the period of war hostilities. He was an Engine Room Artificer (ERA).

[seaJane]

On 25/04/2020 at 12:46, grafic1 said:

Thank you.

 

24 minutes ago, sotonmate said:

To get the copy to read you pay for it to be downloaded

 

At present (duration of covid-19) already-digitised records at TNA Kew can be downloaded free after a quick registration process.

[grafic1]

Thank you for all the information. I wonder how to check the fate of this man after the war? Maybe you have any idea?

Edited 29 April , 2020 by grafic1

[wightspirit]

According to UK Merchant Seamen Deaths 1939-1953, while serving as chief engineer officer on the SS Caverock at Gibraltar, on 13 November 1939 he died from 'haemorrhage caused by self inflicted wounds to the throat.'  His home address is given as 24 Bermuda Road, Tilbury, Essex.

 

Dave W

[grafic1]

Thank you for the information. Are we just waiting for sure it's about Alexander Shaw born in Aberdeen 1884r.?

Edited 29 April , 2020 by grafic1

[wightspirit]

The entry gives the name, Alexander Shaw, born Aberdeen 1884.  I made a typo in the date - it's recorded as 14 November.  I'm not certain it's one and the same man but it seems likely.

 

Dave W

[grafic1]

Yes, it's probably the same person. Thanks a lot again.

[Richard Bennett]

Hi. I am new to this and not sure what I'm doing !!  I have started doing my family tree and Alexander Shaw is my Grandfather. The information someone said is correct that he was born in November 1884 and died on the SS Caverock which was en route to Gilbraltar. He has a tombstone in a cemetery in Chadwell St Mary, Essex and also one in Gibraltar !! He lived in Tilbury. If you have any further information about his life I would be very interested. Also, I have some more information if you are interested, but nothing about the war years.

[KizmeRD]

Welcome to the Forum!

Details of his WW1 service…

ERA II Alexander Shaw M19506, enrolled in the navy 21 March 1916 for duration of hostilities, having previously been an Engineman in the mercantile marine. 

He joined HMS Grafton (old first class cruiser) in May 1916 - serving in the Aegean (operations off Macedonian coast) and in the Eastern Mediterranean (operations off Egyptian coast). His ship was torpedoed on 11th June 1917 but was able to return to Malta for repairs. He left the ship in October 1918, returning to UK and was demobbed February 1919.

MB

[Richard Bennett]

Wow. That is amazing. Thank you so much for your help. I am now starting to build up a picture of my Grandfather. Brilliant information !!

Richard