Military Chat

Hi folks, I am trying to find the number for this ship, beginning with an M. It was sunk in 1941 by the Germans. I googled it but only came up with a Modern one or the land base at Chatham. Hope someone can help! X :-)

All I can find, after a quick look, is that it was a shore base. Where is your information from, please?

Pembroke was the shore base but Pembroke 2 was a minesweeper. My cousins father in law was on the boat.

Diane, I'm afraid the HMS Pembroke 11 is a hoary chestnut that comes up from time to time. Pembroke 11 shows on many sailors' records. It was their accounting base and often appeared on their records, even when they were serving on ships. It sometimes appears when they die in action at sea. You will not find it by googling
because there was no such vessel at that time. There were several of these bases numbered Pembroke I to x (ten) in different locations in England. Pembroke 11 was located at Chatham alongside HNS Pembroke barracks.

Denis

Thanks Denis. That at least accounts for why I didn't get anything when I googled it! Thanks fir your help. X

I now need to find out where Sidney Bailey was during tge second world war. Any ideas. Not git access to military sites.

Diane x

Assuming he was in one of the services, WW2 records are not in the public domain. If he has died, and you are next of kin, you can order them at a cost of £30 and many months wait from.

http://www.veterans-uk.info/service_records/service_records.html

He or his widow can order them for free.

If he died during WW2, look for an entry on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission
http://www.cwgc.org/

Unless you know differently, Sidney could have been in a Reserved Occupation such as a Factory, Mining, Dockyard or Armaments/Ordinance Factory.

If he married or fathered a child in WW2, the certificate would give his occupaton on that date.

A free search on www.forces-war-records.co.uk

Sidney Bailey - Cook - Record year 1941 - Merchant Navy

If he has/had a middle name, there are many more results!

I found the cook reference but not where. Thanks for the help. X

You probably have his CWGC entry (as suggested earlier in the thread) already:

BAILEY, SIDNEY

Rank:Cook
Date of Death:04/04/1941
Age:28
Regiment/Service:Merchant Navy

S.S. Harbledown (London)
Panel Reference
Panel 55.
Memorial
TOWER HILL MEMORIAL
Additional Information:

I have just added this one for elimination purposes, as he died the same year and was in the navy:

BAILEY, SIDNEY CLARENCE

Rank: Leading Seaman
Service No: P/SSX 19813
Date of Death: 22/05/1941
Age:25
Regiment/Service:Royal Navy

H.M.S. Kingston
Awards:
Mentioned in Despatches
Panel Reference
Panel 46, Column 3.
Memorial
PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL

Additional Information:
Son of Clarence A. and Ellen E. Bailey, of Rickinghall, Suffolk.

About the SS Harbledown's loss.

http://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?15159

Thanks guys, you are stars! Will look inti it. X

Sidney Bailey did not die in 1941, so that's the cook ruled out! X

Could you just recap on this. How do you know he didn't die in 1941, and do you think he died in the war? What is the significance of the ship you mentioned that was sunk in 1941? Thanks.

Denis

As has been mentioned before, what evidence do you have that he *did* join one of the Services or the Merchant Navy?

My dad was in the Home Guard as he had flat feet. Other men were in 'Restricted' occupations.

If you are willing to give a few more details about Sidney, we might be able to find some possible records for you - his year and place of birth & any middle names or initials would be a start!
What was his occupation before the War and where?

Hi Denis,

I know he didn't die in 1941 because he had daughters born in 1947, 1950 and 1957. Think my distant cousin in America may have more info. Will email her.

Diane