Merchant Navy after WW1

[Discoveringmypast]

Hi, I wasn't sure where to post this, so apologies if this is the incorrect place.

My great uncle, Albert Edward Hardwell born 1893, served with the royal navy in WW1 and in the merchant navy after.  Luckily I've found his WW1 service record but wondered if it was possible to find out more of what he did and where he went after the end of the war.

I've only found one record of him arriving back in Liverpool from Sydney on 3rd November 1944 when he age 49 along with 188 other passengers.  From what I can see, in the 'description of passengers' box, they were all entered as D.B.S. - does anyone know what that meant in 1944?

I would appreciate any help and guidance in trying to find out what he did and where he travelled after WW1.

Many thanks.
Sue

[HMac]

From what I can see, in the 'description of passengers' box, they were all entered as D.B.S. - does anyone know what that meant in 1944?

Hello Sue,

DBS = Distressed British Seaman.

One who is left without a berth, ill or without funds in a foreign port. Typically, during wartime, a DBS could be a seaman who was travelling after having his ship torpedoed or lost through other forms of enemy action.

Regards
Hugh

[cath151]

hi
Address given for Albert from passenger list, 50, Marksbury road, Bedminster, Bristol. Ther is an Albert Charles Hardwell born 1891 Bedminster.
Cathy
Added.. but he seems to have died same year

[Discoveringmypast]

Hello both,

Thanks Hugh for your reply, given the time period there must have been a huge number of seaman who's ships had been damaged or lost due to enemy action and they then found themselves a long way from Britain.

Now it would be great to find out what ships he was on during WW2 and before.


Thank you also Cathy for the info.  Yes he was from Bristol so the address shown on the passenger list makes it very likely to be him.  However I know for certain from my aunt that he lived until 1964 when he died in Bristol.

Many thanks both again - I'll keep looking but does anyone have anymore ideas?
Sue

[HMac]

Sue, It would be more than likely that he continued to serve in the MN during WW2 and the DBS mention would seem to support this. He has no online MN records but I would suggest you have a look at this file at Kew - BT 382/731 -  http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C10988956
This file would hold his CRS 10 Docket Book, if it has survived, basically his service record from Jan, 1941. His file would be held in surname block so best viewed by visit to Kew as expensive to obtain online.

Regards
Hugh

[Discoveringmypast]

Thank you Hugh for all the detail - it seems the only way to find out more.

Due to distance and work commitments I will have to do that at a much later date.  So wish I lived closer!

Thanks again for taking the time to find this out for me.

Kind regards
Sue

[HMac]

I know someone who will copy the file for less than a fiver.
PM me if you need further info.

Regards
Hugh