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World War One / Re: Mercantile Marine War Medal
« on: Thursday 20 August 20 22:07 BST (UK) »
Thanks ShaunJ and HMac, that's very helpful.
I can understand the "torpedoed" story. Alfred's elder brother was Harry Hamblin (my Gt Grandfather), a master mariner who owned and captained the Ermenilda of Bridgwater. That was sunk by a German submarine on 4th August 1916 in the English channel. The crew were set adrift in a small boat, and a time fuse bomb sunk the ship. Fortunately they were picked up by a Russian steamer and taken to Weymouth. Undeterred, Harry continued to sail to France on the Otto, and the Ada, to Cherbourg and Morlaix. All detailed in his French issued Carte D'Identite, with his photograph and fingerprints.
I can understand the "torpedoed" story. Alfred's elder brother was Harry Hamblin (my Gt Grandfather), a master mariner who owned and captained the Ermenilda of Bridgwater. That was sunk by a German submarine on 4th August 1916 in the English channel. The crew were set adrift in a small boat, and a time fuse bomb sunk the ship. Fortunately they were picked up by a Russian steamer and taken to Weymouth. Undeterred, Harry continued to sail to France on the Otto, and the Ada, to Cherbourg and Morlaix. All detailed in his French issued Carte D'Identite, with his photograph and fingerprints.