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Author Topic: Kiwi - Merchant seaman 1939  (Read 789 times)

Offline nigelrixson

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Kiwi - Merchant seaman 1939
« on: Thursday 17 May 07 03:31 BST (UK) »
Hi,
A bit of a long shot this one.
Can anyone suggest any database of New Zealand merchant seaman who were in the UK at or just before WW2.
I have a distant reli who married in the UK in 1942, and family rumour has it that he might have been a New Zealander. The marriage certificate states that he was a 'ships steward'.
The aim is to try to confirm whether or not this chap was from New Zealand
Thanks
Stenson, anywhere any dates

Offline DotBrennan

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Re: Kiwi - Merchant seaman 1939
« Reply #1 on: Thursday 17 May 07 04:02 BST (UK) »
Hi Nigel

Sorry can't help with the NZ merchant seaman angle, but have you checked the British Mercant Seamen? He may well have been British, or even as a Kiwi he still could have "signed up" with them as we were still considered "British" in those days....

What's his name?
Hopefully not John Smith/Wilson/Brown/ etc., but maybe we can Find him in NZ prior to 1942.  Also parents names if you have them.

Also, do you know what age he was when he married in 1942?

Bren

Offline nigelrixson

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Re: Kiwi - Merchant seaman 1939
« Reply #2 on: Friday 18 May 07 00:23 BST (UK) »
Thanks for the tip. I'll try the British Merchant seaman route and see if it turns anything up.

The name was William Edwin Ernest Newman, and he was 38 years old. Family rumours recalls that he claimed to be a Kiwi, but no-ones ever found any evidence of this. A complete scroll through the English death records does not undercover a death reference. So, its presumed that he went overseas, prehaps to New Zealand.

Any further tips on how to proceed would be very welcomed
Thanks
Stenson, anywhere any dates
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