Trawlers WW1

[ev]

hi 

links here if you don't already have them -

http://www.trawlerphotos.co.uk/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=56770

http://www.aberdeenships.com/single.asp?offset=2030&index=99730

since the loss took place after the ww1 was over would the deaths be registered with the CWGC ?

perhaps local newspapers would carry details of the crew

ev

[kerothwell]

Hi Al,
All RNR or RNVR on Mine Sweeper Trawlers and crews,Name of Trawlers etc are held at the Fleet Air Arm Museum in Yeovilton, Somerset. Also books of the different Trawlers hired, or Navy built etc. They are all in excellent condition and copies are easily readable. Roy Swales is the name of the Gentleman in charge and is a great help. It cost a wee bit but the information was incredible plus excerts from manuals. I thought I had found my Grandad Alfred Edward Berry,Chief Skipper unfortunately I didn't give his birthdate. All the papers I received were about an Alfred Edward Berry from Hull. Whose occupation was so similar to my grandad. The real guy from Hull his CV's was great reading. he had won 2 DSO''s,Gallipoli and the Dover patrol. I tried to trace him but had no luck.Sent them to the Hull Maritime Museum and haven't  heard any more so I am going to ask for them back or at least a copy and try and find the mans family. For some reason he doesn't even appear in any WW1 deeds for his home town. best Regards Ken Berry

[Redroger]

Do you have contact details for the people at Yeovilton please? The man I am looking for is Frederick Mackerill (spellings vary) who was the owner of a trawler company at Grimsby in the WW1 era. Sometime after the war he had an incident with a revolver mistaking his daughter for an intruder. Luckily he missed, and the incident was kept quiet. I believe he probably acquired the gun, and possibly a naval rank as a result of his trawlers being "volunteered" for service durign the war.

[philorth]

Thank you EV  the photo in Trawler photos is our families and we knew of the bit on the Aberdeen site Very good of you to answer.

Thank you Kerothwell will check this out.   Problem is family can't agree as to whether their Grandfather who had owned the vessel was aboard at the time or not.

[kerothwell]

Hi All,
The Minesweeper Trawlers where at the Gallipoli Campaign to sweep the mine fields clear, which they did at huge cost. Only one out of 23 I think it was survived. Skipper at that time Alfred Edward Berry (not my g/dad) was awarded the first of his DSO's. He even helped in the evacuation. The mine were cleared OK but the Battleships ours and our allies went down the wrong Channel. And about 7 got hammered by the Turkish gunners and mines. The important thing here is there was no such thing as Combined Operations then.I'm sure if you get in touch with Roy Swales at the Fleet Air Arm Museum,
Yeovilton, Somerset, he will be only to pleased to help. Tjats were the firist foul up was made. The second was the troops were landed on the wrong beach. The Minesweeper Trawlers went almost every where. Chief Skipper A.E.B. was on the Dover Patrol when awarded his 2nd DSO.. The Trawler escorted about 5 - 10 Fishing Smacks. If a U-Boat had been spotted from land or sea in the Channel. They would drop their nets and try to catch or snag the U-boat and the Trawler would use her 4 Pounder to sink the sub. Unfortunately A.E.B. was mid Channel  and 6 German Destroyers had come out of somewhere and sank the lot. A.E.B. managed to get his small lifeboat launched and saved some of his crew and some from the Fishing Smacks. he managed to get to France. He was wounded and won his 2nd DSO. I had all his CV's, Papers and he was lauded by the Admiral. I sent the papers all to the Hull Museum but am waiting to hear from them as they haven't done a lot of research. maybe its not fair to say that but I want to follow it up.Have you Googled Grimsby Trawlers WW1,also the other Trawler Ports. Hope this helps a bit more. Best Regards Ken Berry

[Redroger]

What I would like to know is do you have any contact details, email address etc. for the Fleet Air Arm Museum at Yeovilton, or do I just write?

[kerothwell]

Hi All,
         The email address for the RNVR Archives are at Fleet Air Arm Museum
Yeovilton is (*). Don't try TNA at Kew as the originals are at Yeovil and copy better. One can't read the ones from Kew. I was told this last year. I have just had a crew agreement from Kew and the Copying was nigh on perfect and they were a great help as well.I'm sorry if this email isn't allowed to go through so I will send it PM if thats OK. Apologies Mr Moderator if I have erred. The senior moments every now and again don't help. best regards Ken Berry
^(*)

(*) Moderator Comment: e-mail removed in accordance with RootsChat policy,
to avoid spamming and other abuses.
Please use the Personal Message (PM) system for exchanging personal data.

[Redroger]

Thanks for that Ken, Remember to err is human.

[philorth]

Thanks Kerothwell haven't been on for awhile.   I will send an email to Roy Swailes and see what I can find out