Is it possible to research Merchant Navy (Mercantile Marine) with only a name? - George Stephens

[TomP]

Hi all

I have in my collection a Mercantile Marine War Medal named to a 'George Stephens' on the rim, Unfortunately no middle initial included on the medal either so this is all I have to go off. 

Is it possible to do any further reliable research on this recipient or is the lack of info on MN medals compared to the BWM & VM (service No etc) make this impossible? I have never researched anything to do with the MN before so unsure. 

Thanks in advance for any help!
Tom

[corisande]

Ancestry has them indexed. Gives this for George. You will struggle to eliminate any of them unless you have more evidence

View Record	Name	Birth Date	Year Issued

Search results

View Record	Name	Birth Date	Year Issued
View Record	George Stephens	1874	1914-1925
View Record	George Stephens	1898	1914-1925
View Record	George Stephens	1865	1914-1925
View Record	George Stephens	1861	1914-1925
View Record	George Stephens	1881	1914-1925
View Record	Harry George Stephens	1900	1914-1925
View Record	William George Stephens	1868	1914-1925

[TomP]

11 minutes ago, corisande said:

Ancestry has them indexed. Gives this for George. You will struggle to eliminate any of them unless you have more evidence

 

Thanks for your reply @corisande. It is as I suspected then. Unfortunately all I have to go off is the name on the medal. 

I acquired it some years ago and came as is, no associated BWM (which I know some were awarded with but possible also just with a name so might not help anyway) or paperwork etc. 

[Keith_history_buff]

The Mercantile Marine records for 1913 to 1919 were destroyed in 1969. For those that served after this time, there are some records available via FindMyPast.

[rolt968]

There are a number of G Stephens and George Stephens in 1915 Crew Lists:

https://1915crewlists.rmg.co.uk/crew-member?crew_member_search[lastName]=Stephens&page=13

RM

[TomP]

Hi @Keith_history_buff & @rolt968

Thanks for your replies. Without further info then I won't be able to establish which of these chaps the medal belongs to. Thank you for your assistance!