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Hullo again Dave and thanks for your reply.    My Dad changed his name to James BROUGHTON, records indicate that he was born c1890 in Rotherhithe, Surrey.   I have been in touch with the Authorities in Southhampton but they have no Record of him whatsoever.   I did find a J BROUGHTON, AB, as a Crew Member on the "NIAGARA" a Passenger Ship plying between Canada and Australia in 1916.   Records show that he was 28 Years of age at the time and that he was born in Surrey.    The thing that 'irks' me is how did he get to Vancouver or what was his previous ship.?

I have his World War 1 and 2 Medals but they only give his Name and Initials on the Rim, as you well know.   I also have all of his Records from the year 1918 on, which I got from the Australian National Archives.

Obviously, from the foregoing I need to find the Ship's  that he served on prior to the "NIAGARA" in 1916.    I must add Dave, that he did four trips Vancouver/Australia in 1916.

I have contacted the University in Newfoundland to see if I can get a copy of their CD on Seamen of the Atlantic, hoping that the CD may have some information on him.

By the way, it would appear that he may have been born with the name, J. WALKER, but I can't substantiate that.

Regards, Jim

I am trying to prove the Childhood of my late Father who was a Merchant Mariner in the UK and Australia during World Wars 1 and 2.   He was born in the UK about c1890.

It is known that he did his initial training as a Boy on a Training Ship in the UK, but, as there were so many of them it is hard to distinguish which one he attended.

Enquiries through the UK and Australian Archives have proved fruitless with the exception that a list supplied by the Australian Archives included the Identification Numbers L7124 and 16727.   On making enquiries from the Archives regarding the significance of the Numbers I was told that they 'probably' were issued by the Training Authority in the UK, meaning of course the Training Ship.    He changed his Surname upon completion of his training period and I have no idea what name he had originally.    Perhaps, by tracing the origin of the numbers I will solve that problem.

Is there any 'Chatter' who knows anything about the Training Ships and their method of operation that may be able throw any light on the matter for me.?

I have been told that, as there were Training Ships located in both London and Liverpool, the letter prefix 'L' could stand for either place.

Any information or guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Jim, in Queensland

Hullo Valda,

Thank you for your reply and the information you have given me.    However, there is only one problem for me and that is that I live in Australia so I wonder if there may be SKS who is contemplating a visit to Southwark Library that can have a look at the Electoral Roll for Rotherhithe for 1916 and 1918 to see who is residing at that address.   I would be forever grateful for any assistance.

Regards, Jim, in Queensland

Hullo Jamjar !!

Thanks for your interest in the photo.    No, I haven't shown the photo on the Australian Board because  I am not interested in that phase of his life.   I probably made a bit of a boo-boo by not stating that, to my knowledge he went under at least five Christian Name Alia's and I therefore deliberately left them out of the 'post' in the hope that someone may be able to recognise him and give me his birth Christian Name.

Jim

Hi Treeroot,

1871 Census (UK) shows Henry as being single and working as a Servant at Aldbrough, Yorkshire.

1881 Census (UK) shows Henry as married but living alone at 4 Walters Tce., Newington, Yorkshire.   On this Census he is a General Labourer, born at East Halton, Lincolnshire, about 1847.

Regards, Jim