David "potato" Jones - Spanish Civil War

[sue 123]

Hi All,

Not sure where to post this but I am looking for info about the above. He sailed from Swansea to Bilbao to run the blockades. Family lore has it that my great grandfather James Aldridge, a seaman from Liverpool, was also one of his crew.
I am looking for verification of this so wondered if anyone knows if crew records were held and if they are available online ?

Thanks
Sue

[seaweed]

Most Crew Agreements are not available on line.
My understanding is that "Potato Jones" was Master of the Cardiff registered Tramp Steamer MARIE LLEWELLYN, official number 143526, when she was a blockade runner but of course it could have been any other vessel.
So start with the MARIE LLEWELLYN. her 1937 and 1938 Crew Agreements are available from "The Maritime History Archive" search via official number. Cost you $40 Canadian minimum.

https://www.mun.ca/mha/holdings/viewcombinedcrews.php?Official_No=143526

Her 1939 C/A's are at TNA Kew.

http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C11025919

If you have Find my Past, you could try searching for your Great Grandads Merchant Navy service records 1918 -1941. If they have survived, they should record what vessels he served on with dates and places of engagement and discharge. May short circuit the process.

Could you give his date of birth?

[ShaunJ]

Some of the images on FindMyPast are taking forever to load today but one of the James Aldridge seaman's records has a photo

[sue 123]

Ohh a photo?? that sounds exciting. Yes I'm having issues logging in to day to that site.
Thanks both of you for the info. 

[seaweed]

There are a couple of WW1 Merchant seamens medal listings for James Aldridge born Liverpool, one born in 1879 the other in 1876. May be worth down loading if one or the other is your man. Should contain discharge number which will help positive identity.
 http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.UK/results/r?_fn=+James+&_ln=+Aldridge&_pl=&discoveryCustomSearch=true&_cr1=BT+351&_cr2=MT+9&_col=200&_dt=BW&_hb=tna

[sue 123]

Thanks Seaweed - yep my GGF was born in 1876 so I will keep a note of the records.

[bernard_lewis]

The West Glamorgan Archive Service holds lots of info relating to Swansea seamen, I think.

And I think some of the records are now on Ancestry. But you'd need to check...

If you get a 'no' I might be able to have a QUICK look for you at the end of August. But, if it comes to that, you MUST message me on here with full info on your man, please.

Bernard

[seaweed]

Bernard's post just nudged the memory. However I cannot find your man on both of these sites.

http://www.swanseamariners.org.uk/swanseamariners.php

http://www.welshmariners.org.uk/search.php

Perhaps an e mail to both of these knowledgeable people may shed some light.

[sue 123]

Hi All,

Thanks for your help. I will email those addresses to see if they have any info.

I am not currently a paid member on the Ancestry site but guess I should to get access to more records.

thanks
Sue