*Completed * Navy ship and occupation help, please

[kgbroadfoot]

Hi,
I can't figure out the letters in front of this ship's name.  I know this person served in both Merchant and Royal Navy, but don't know the exact time frames.  Can anyone tell me which this ship -- James J. Maguire -- belonged to?   Also, any idea on what the position is?  Looks like "M.R. Boy"    I know he was a stoker at other times.
Thanks for your help,

[BridgetM]

Mess Room Boy?

[seaweed]

Motor vessel JAMES J MCGUIRE was a merchant vessel.
Mess room boy was a Merchant Navy rank
Avonmouth is/was a port handling Merchant Ships.
Have you the Full MN service record For Arthur Brewer? If no can you give us his full name date and place of birth.

[kgbroadfoot]

Thanks,
No, we haven't found any service records for him yet. 
His full name was Arthur Brewer Broadfoot, born April 19, 1927 in Corsham

Perhaps this is a silly question, but what IS a mess room boy?  I can't find a description anywhere on the internet...

[HMac]

Hello,

MV [Motor Vessel] JAMES J. MAGUIRE official number 167242 built in 1939. Some details here: http://www.aukevisser.nl/others/id550.htm
I can confirm the answer from Bridget - it's Mess Room Boy.
Regards
Hugh

[seaweed]

Thanks,
No, we haven't found any service records for him yet. 
His full name was Arthur Brewer Broadfoot, born April 19, 1927 in Corsham

Perhaps this is a silly question, but what IS a mess room boy?  I can't find a description anywhere on the internet...

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycataloguedetails.asp?CATID=-3350282&CATLN=7&Highlight=%2CBROADFOOT%2CA&accessmethod=0

A mess room boy kept the crews mess room clean and tidy and served their meals



There are two main sources of information regarding merchant seamens service records for the timescale you are looking at.

BT372 SEAMEN'S POUCH
These are records of his/her documents filed together in paper envelopes known as "pouches". The contents vary for single registry cards to ID Cards, photographs, letters, applications forms and other ephemera. It will cost in the region of £5/6 for a digital copy of the contents. Ask as costs vary widely.
BT382 FORM CRS10
This will record
Name
Date and place of birth
Discharge 'A' number
Rank or rating, with relevant certificate details
Details of any other qualifications
Date CRS 10 first page was created
A list of ships and their official numbers with date and place of engagement,
F or H (for Foreign or Home trade voyage),
date and place of discharge from the ship
character grade
When ashore the sheet may bear the entry MNRP (Merchant Navy Reserve Pool) with date and place.
The problem with CRS10's is that they were written by third parties sometimes months after the event occurs. Mistakes and omissions are common.
However for general research they are a good starting point. If you wish to be more detailed then you could obtain individual Crew Agreements.
CRS 10,s start in early 1941. if he /she had service before that date then it will be recorded on cards CR1 and CR2 which should be in the seamans pouch. The cost of digital copies of CRS10 vary so you would have to ask.

[kgbroadfoot]

Great, thanks very much!