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Post Info TOPIC: Eric Cooke R294611 looking for anyone who knew him


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Eric Cooke R294611 looking for anyone who knew him
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Hi everyone,

I am looking for any information regarding my father Eric Cooke who was in the Merchant Navy - I sent off for his records from The National Archives and now and they sent some photocopies of his British Seaman's Identity Card and his certificate of transfer from a former seaman to a national civilian so I have a bit of information on him.  His number was R294611.  I'm not sure what year he joined but it will be 1940 something.  He left in 1951.    

He was from South Elmsall nr Pontefract and Doncaster in West Yorkshire.  He was born in 1925.  I know he spent some time in Philadelphia and that the ship had to be repaired to they stayed there quite a while and he boarded with a family there.

I have his original Navigators and Engineer Officer's Union Membership book which states his rank as Chief Officer on the ship C Romarty Firth in 1949 and Chief Officer on the ship Mount Blair in 1951.

If anyone has any information or advice for me I would be so grateful.

best wishes

Helen Cooke



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There is a copy of his medal file held at Kew and can be downloaded direct to your computer for £3.30. Below is how to interpret the file.
 
The medals awarded are indicated by:

1939: 1939-1945 Star
AT: Atlantic Star
AF: Africa Star
PA: Pacific Star
BU: Burma Star
FR: France and Germany Star
WM: War Medal
IT: Italy Star
CL: Clasp
OLE: Oak Leaf

A cross (×) drawn through a symbol indicates the issue of that medal; a circle (O) drawn through a symbol indicates that only the ribbon for that medal has been issued. If a cross and a circle have been used then both a medal and a ribbon have been issued. An R sometimes appears and signifies that an application for that medal was reviewed and refused.
 
His CRS-10 service file detailing his war service would be held at Kew  in classification BT382. 1941 to 1972 Fifth Register of Merchant Seaman's Service
 
Records of individual Merchant Seamen's sea service details are held in alphabetical surname order. These details include the following information: Name of seaman, Date and place of birth, Discharge (Seamans) book number, Rank, Details of the ships on which he served. These include: Name of ship and official number, date of engagement (Joining ship), Date of discharge (Leaving ship), whether ship was a foreign going of home trade vessel, and records in some cases National Insurance contributions. Details shown in these records are similar to those contained in an individual seaman's discharge book.
 
The actual files are held in block by surname. His file should be held in the following file BT 382/372  covering the surnames "Cook Thomas Stewart to Cooke L J" As the files are held in block by surname it would require a visit to Kew unless you are willing to pay the extortionate prices for a researcher.


-- Edited by British Merchant Navy at War on Monday 7th of July 2014 10:21:49 AM

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Well Helen, that's an impressive bit of advice from the great Billy McGee. Hope you hear from someone who actually met him.

 

Glancon



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Good effort Billy 



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I have sent Helen two messages but it would appear that she hasn't returned to the forum since she posted her appeal for assistance blankstare



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