Did merchant seamen get medals in ww2?

Did merchant seamen get medals in ww2?

Nine types of medals were awarded to British merchant seamen who served in the Second World War and who met the qualifications for each medal.

How do I find merchant seamen records?

The best websites for finding Merchant Navy records

  1. Crew List Index Project (CLIP) The Crew List Project will help you find crew lists held in county collections, which you can search by ship’s name or official number.
  2. 1915 Crew Lists.
  3. The National Archives (TNA)
  4. Irish Mariners.
  5. Welsh Mariners.

How many British merchant sailors died in ww2?

29,000 merchant seamen
During the Second World War, 4,700 British-flagged ships were sunk and more than 29,000 merchant seamen died.

Do the Merchant Navy go to war?

Seafarers Have to Fight Wars: People often confuse merchant navy with defense navy. Many believe everyone going to the sea goes to fight wars. However, on a daily operational basis, it has NOTHING to do with the navy or the armed forces of the country in general.

What medals were issued in ww2?

Second World War Medals

  • 1939-45 Star. The ribbon is dark blue, red and light blue in three equal vertical stripes and is worn with the dark blue stripe furthest from the left shoulder.
  • Atlantic Star.
  • Air Crew Europe Star.
  • Arctic Star.
  • Africa Star.
  • Pacific Star.
  • Burma Star.
  • Italy Star.

Do Merchant Navy get medals?

The Merchant Navy Service Medal is available to all former and presently serving merchant service personnel in this long standing profession.

Does the UK still have a Merchant Navy?

The Merchant Navy is the maritime register of the United Kingdom and comprises the seagoing commercial interests of UK-registered ships and their crews….Merchant Navy (United Kingdom)

British Merchant Navy
Active 1835-
Country United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Channel Islands
Type Civil

Is there still a British merchant navy?

British Merchant Navy In 1939, the merchant navy was the largest in the world with 33% of total tonnage. By 2012, the merchant navy—still remaining one of the largest in the world—held only 3% of total tonnage. As of the year ending 2012, British Merchant Marine interests consists of 1,504 ships of 100 GT or over.

How many merchant seamen lost their lives in ww2?

30,248 merchant seamen
30,248 merchant seamen lost their lives during World War Two, a death rate that was higher proportionately than in any of the armed forces.

How long do merchant seamen stay at sea?

Some have been at sea for as long as 20 months, though 11 months is the maximum time allowed by the ILO Maritime Labour Convention.

What is the retirement age of merchant navy?

9. What is the retirement age? A) As per Seamen’s Employment Office Order the retirement age of the person from seafaring profession is at 60 yrs.

What medals were given in ww2 UK?

World War II

  • 1939–1945 Star (Battle of Britain or Bomber Command)
  • Atlantic Star (Air Crew Europe or France and Germany)
  • Arctic Star.
  • Air Crew Europe Star (Atlantic or France and Germany)
  • Africa Star (8th Army or 1st Army or North Africa 1942–43)
  • Pacific Star (Burma)
  • Burma Star (Pacific)
  • Italy Star.

Where did the British merchant fleet come from during World War II?

As the outbreak of World War II edged closer in 1939, the British merchant fleet remained the largest in the world, employing some 200,000 men and women. This number made up around one third of the entire global merchant fleet at the time, with many of the seamen coming from all over the Empire, including India, Hong Kong and West Africa.

What is the best book on merchant seamen in WW2?

Survivors: British Merchant Seamen in the Second World War. Hambledon. ISBN 1-852851821. Hope, Ronald (1982). The Seaman’s World. Harrap.

What was the Merchant Navy in WW1?

Those vessels carried cargo to and from the country and those of the Commonwealth to sustain its war effort. Following the heroism and hardships endured by seamen of the “Mercantile Marine” in World War I King George V coined the title Merchant Navy in recognition.

How many merchant seamen died in WW2?

It is difficult to estimate the total number of merchant seamen who lost their lives during World War II because the government of the time did not grant them the automatic right of commemoration by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.