Question for Hugh

Hugh MacLean · Post by **Hugh MacLean** » Sat Aug 11, 2007 12:50 pm

Hello Kathy,

I can't remember exactly as I have deleted the initial email request.

I am concerned, however, that you haven't had a reply within the 10 days. What usually happens is that you will get an email reply within the 10 days stating that your estimate is ready to be viewed and an online link supplied for you to confirm that you wish them to go ahead. Once this is done they will prepare your material for despatch by surface mail or by PDF file whichever you chose. If you chose the surface mail option then you could expect to wait a while after you agreed the estimate costs. This is the option that is cheapest but longest.

What would I do in your shoes? I would do one of two things.
First, if you still wanted to wait for the estimate then
You should have the reference number from your initial request. Why don't you email them asking why the delay. I do suspect something has gone wrong here.

Second, as they have not sent you an email with the link for your estimate to be viewed and accepted, I would be very tempted to abandon it because it is still going to take a few weeks to get to you even if you were to accept the estimate today.

I would make a new request to http://urlx.org/gov.uk/bef40 hit "Request this" then take the top option for Digital Express then hit Go. Then fill in the box with the required information namely, "The CRS10 Form for Mitchell Orr McNeil born 1913" and if you have a place of birth that will help as well. Then choose the service from the drop down box. Choose the Gold Service, then hit "add to shopping" then make your payment (£8.50) approx (20.40 Aus Dollars) and hopefully you will get a confirmation email that your request has gone through. Then by the end of the next working day you should have the file for Mitchell on your computer or an email saying the file is not there and that you have not been charged.

If you went down that route and you received an email stating the file was not there then it is still possible that it could be in the files marked MAC but we will cross that bridge when and if we come to it.

I hope that helps a little and is not too confusing to follow...I know how it feels to be waiting in anticipation so I hope you are not disappointed.

Kathy · Post by **Kathy** » Sat Aug 11, 2007 1:38 pm

Thanks Hugh,

I had sent them an email on Friday, quoting my original reference request number, but with the time difference, it perhaps would not be attended too till Monday.

I have taken your advice, and gone the other way, I have just completed the request for Digital Express.

Will let you know how I get on.

Regards

Kathy

Kathy · Post by **Kathy** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 10:07 pm

Received a reply from National Archives- " info requested is not in this document".

Kathy

Hugh MacLean · Post by **Hugh MacLean** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 8:00 pm

Hello Kathy,

That is not good news, if his CRS10 had survived that is where it would be.

I have looked for MacNeill's but there are none. So if he was indeed Merchant Navy it looks like there are no records. How sure are you that he was transferred to the Merchant Navy?

Kathy · Post by **Kathy** » Wed Aug 15, 2007 1:28 pm

Hi Hugh,

It's only what I can recall, from stories in the family.

He was in the Royal Navy prior to WW11, and as he was a rivitter journeyman on the Clyde was considered essencial services, and was transferred to the Merchant Navy.

I do have a pic of him with HMS Wrestler on his cap, I assume that was prior to WW11.

Also, I do recall a story, he was painting the ship, suspended on scaffold, and fell overboard, and was charged AWOL.

Would the document I applied for have both Royal & Merchant Navy content?

Kathy

Hugh MacLean · Post by **Hugh MacLean** » Wed Aug 15, 2007 2:54 pm

Kathy wrote:Hi Hugh,

Would the document I applied for have both Royal & Merchant Navy content?

Kathy

Hello Kathy,
No, the document you applied for was for his CRS10 Form which is a merchant seaman's record of service from 1941 and part of the Fifth Register of Seaman's Service. Prior to 1941 a merchant seaman's record of service would be held in the Fourth Register but that is not available on line.

The National Archives have a research service at this link:
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/gett ... _research2
I don't know if they would find anything but just to let you know it is there.

RN service records details here: http://www.veterans-uk.info/service_rec ... cords.html

Kathy · Post by **Kathy** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 8:39 am

Thanks for the addresses Hugh,

I did have a look at the Veteran website, it sayts that service records were given to personel prior to 1972, it seems the info I would get would be quite limited.

I may have to just move on to something else.

Thanks again

Kathy

Hugh Stevely · Post by **Hugh Stevely** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 3:28 pm

MARINERS

THE WEBSITE OF THE MARINERS MAILING LIST

Royal Navy

Please note some of the info on this link may be out of date Thanks to Hugh (McLean) for that update

http://www.mariners-l.co.uk/UKRoyalNavyIndex.html

Hugh.

Hugh MacLean · Post by **Hugh MacLean** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 5:14 pm

Hello Hugh,

I think the information in the above link may be out of date for RN records.
HMS CENTURION, I believe, may have closed down and records are held at this link: http://www.veterans-uk.info/service_rec ... cords.html

The TNA still have RN records pre 1924, I think.

Regards
Hugh MacLean

Hugh Stevely · Post by **Hugh Stevely** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 5:20 pm

Hi Hugh,thanks for that info.

Cheers Hugh.