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General => Armed Forces => World War One => Topic started by: Boongie Pam on Monday 04 December 17 14:59 GMT (UK)
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Hi All,
We've found some medals for my (step) great grandfather (see picture). My question is what does the abbreviation "FUN,. M.F.A." stand for? My guess is it is a Marine Fire Auxiliary? As he was a marine fireman in Liverpool. I have his census and marriage info I'm interested in his war experience now.
Thanks,
Pam
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The FUN is FMN - fireman and the MFA is Mercantile Fleet Auxiliary - civilian ships that served with the Royal Navy and some of whose men served on RN ships also.
The medal looks like a 1914 or 1914/15 Star(there'll be a date on the front and it would be of interest to see the other medal(s) which (guesswork) may be the British War and the Mercantile Marine medals.
see next post
MaxD
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More - the Mercantile Marine records at the National Archives have two Firemen Robt Cousins, both with identical medals http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C975100#imageViewerLink may be the same man?
MaxD
Do you have the date and place of birth of your man - one is 1880 Bootle, the other is 1885 Liverpool, their ID cards are on line with photos.
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Doh! Thanks MaxD, yes I see it is M not U now.
The medals belonged to the grandson of Robert James Cousins born 1878, christened 3rd Nov 1878 in Bootle son of Robert Cousins (lets call him snr). Robert Cousins born 1885 is likely** to be Robert James' cousin (son of Joseph Cousins). Joseph and Robert (snr) are brothers.
Everything I know about Robert James...
Occupation:
Timber labourer from census 1901
Marine Fireman (steamship) from census 1911
Marine Fireman from marriage cert (Catherine Hughes) 1915
1881: 18 Molyneux Street, Bootle 3
1891: 108 Canal Street, Bootle 13
1901: 40 Bibbys Lane, Bootle 22 (boarder)
1911: 34 Canal St, Bootle 32 (boarder)
1915: Married at St Winifride's Church Bootle, he was a widower, resident at 34 Canal Street Bootle
1940: Named on son Robert's marriage cert as deceased.
** I say "likely" as these are big families with what seems like many Roberts!
So unless I have made a mistake matching the correct Robert to my father and grandfather (both Roberts!) I think the 1880 one is ours. I'll post the full medal picture, it is a bit low res as it was sent by text today to me.
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It is the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
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Yes, both medal records have those listed. Is there an inscription round the edge of either of the circular medals?
MaxD
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Hi MaxD,
Thanks for the help :) I've asked my sister to check for edge inscriptions. Can I check, ID cards you mentioned is that through Find My Past?
Thanks,
Pam
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Yes, both records for Robert Cousins who were firemen (the second one is written Roberts Cousins) are on FindMyPast in the British Merchant Seamen 1918-1941 listing from the National Archive document BT 350.
The Bootle born one was 28 Jun 1885, he has the discharge number 521335 and is listed as that on the medal roll. The Liverpool one was born 4 Jun 1880 but the second medal roll one does not have his discharge number, only what I think is his last vessel.
May be as well initially to see if the medals have his name and a number engraved.
MaxD
PS - The 1885 one appears on a private Ancestry family tree.
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Mercantile Marine medals don't have numbers on they just have names on rim/ rear
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Yes, they just have his name, no number. Thank you For your help. I've subscribed to FindMyPast.
It seems like the owner of the medals (1880/1878) joined the army in 1897. His address is the right road. Lovely description of him, he sounds like a pirate! Black hair and pierced ears!
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He was Mercantile Marine Reserve and the medals are the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal, hence my expectation that they would have his number, he didn't get a Mercantile Marine Medal.
Are you now confident of which one is your man because it may be worth now seeking to find more records of his MMR time.
MaxD
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Sorry for the disappearing act MaxD. I'm pretty sure I know which one he is. I'll be looking more at this family when the schools go back :)
Thank you.