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Harold SAMSON - Merchant Navy record at Kew?

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Ruth

Ruth Report 31 Aug 2011 12:48

Hiya, I am trying to request copies of records for my deceased grandad Harold Austin Samson from the National Archives site as they are held at Kew. These are his Merchant Navy records.

When I try to order copies it comes up with the message that it is unavailble due to maintenance being carried out. It appears this is going to be the case for some time....

Is there any other way to view my grandad's sea pouch as the site calls it?
It does mention going to Kew but unfortunately that is not an available option right now for me....

There are 2 sets of records linked to his name which might be something to do with the fact that he went awol in Sydney in 1942 and joined the Australian army then used an alias name to get home to the UK but admitted it on arriving at Port in the UK as he had no papers for the Alias name used. I have the website of the Australian Archives where his Australian army records are held.

He died last year, still very much missed and I would love to see the details about his merchant navy days and expecially his alias details.

He should have been on the SS Waimarama when it was destroyed on its way to Malta as the ship took part in Operation Pedestal but my grandad survived as he left the ship in Sydney!

Researching:
Samson, Richards, Lynch, Watkins,

jolee

jolee Report 31 Aug 2011 14:01

You could try phoning or emailing the archives for advice they are helpful there.

Researching:
Barking, East London, Kent.

Ruth

Ruth Report 31 Aug 2011 15:09

HIya, I did try and they said to send an email as the data has been withdrawn due to it having private details on it like NI numbers.

Unfortunately I can't get to Kew which is the other way.
I was hoping to find records on ancestry for the ships he was on but not findong much except for his days on the SS Tordene and nothing on the SS Waimarama

Researching:
Samson, Richards, Lynch, Watkins,