Genealogy Chat

Top tip - using the Genes Reunited community

Welcome to the Genes Reunited community boards!

  • The Genes Reunited community is made up of millions of people with similar interests. Discover your family history and make life long friends along the way.
  • You will find a close knit but welcoming group of keen genealogists all prepared to offer advice and help to new members.
  • And it's not all serious business. The boards are often a place to relax and be entertained by all kinds of subjects.
  • The Genes community will go out of their way to help you, so don’t be shy about asking for help.

Quick Search

Single word search

Icons

  • New posts
  • No new posts
  • Thread closed
  • Stickied, new posts
  • Stickied, no new posts

merchant navy/normal navy

ProfilePosted byOptionsPost Date

JosieByCoast

JosieByCoast Report 1 Sep 2005 00:27

My grandfather was a Captain in the Merchant Navy, he worked for Cable & Wireless, on submarine cable ships laying cables on the seabed. During the war [WW1] cable ships were considered by the enemy to be a number 1 target, even more prone to attack than battle ships. I would guess this was the case in WW2 as well. Josie

Kate

Kate Report 31 Aug 2005 23:36

In answer to your original question, the Royal Navy is the marine branch of the armed forces and the 'merchant navy' privately-owned vessels which are also very important in wartime but don't actually take part in fighting. Kate.

Michelle

Michelle Report 31 Aug 2005 20:24

What is the difference between these two. On my mum's birth cert is says her father was a stoker in the merchant navy. many thanks