John Dyer

[seaweed]

You wrote "My Dad was Merchant Navy"

Given the information to hand, your Dad served as a Royal Navy DEMS. Most of the persons in the photograph are wearing RN uniform. The guy on the right, in khaki belongs to one of the Royal Artillery Maritime Regiments. You can see a RA badge on his sleeve. DEMS Crew were very often mixed personal from both services.
If you are convinced your Dad served in the Merchant Navy you will need to find his Form CRS10. If it exists.To obtain it a visit to the National Archive at Kew is essential, either by yourself or your daughter or  a paid researcher. It could be in one of two references.

http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C10988749
or
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C10990531
Form CRS 10 will tell you what ships he served on, together with dates and ports of engagement and discharge.

Could it be your dad served as a Merchant Seaman after demob from the RN?

PET MILK was a brand of Condensed Milk manufactered by an American company.

I have asked poster HMac, an expert on DEMS for his opinion, so watch this space.

[chrisdyer]

Thank you, will look into a visit to Kew.

[HMac]

I am away from home at the moment, back Saturday. Seaweed has put you on the right track he was RN D.E.M.S. the photo confirms RN and MRA D.E.M.S. gunners in the mess.
One slight correction DRAKE was the R N barracks in Plymouth.
I will look at this when I get home.
Regards
Hugh
Ps make sure you obtain his Pay and  Victualling ledger when applying for his RN records.

[chrisdyer]

Thank you, that makes sense as to why I can't find the ship!!  What about PRESIDENT 111, is that a Barracks as well?
My Dad always said he was Merchant Navy.  Did that come under the Royal Navy? Would you join up for the RN & then they put you where they wanted you to go?
Thank you

[HMac]

PRESIDENT III was a shore establishment that handled the account of the D.E.M.S. as well as others. The Merchant Navy were a civillian service. I wonder if you picked up that he served on Merchant Navy ships rather than in the Merchant Navy. If joining the RN as an Hostilities Only (HO) rating ie for the duration of the war only, he could volunteer for D.E.M.S. service.
Regards
Hugh

[chrisdyer]

You are brilliant.  I was getting so confused with it all.  I looked up his marriage certificate & it has RN on it, so I think you're right, he served on Merchant Navy Ships. Would that have been his choice or would the RN just have allocated him where they thought there was a need?
I'm learning all the time. My granddaughter is doing a project for university & asked me for any info I have on my Dad, so I have to get it right!

[HMac]

See my last edit above. He could volunteer but I would say it would also depend on the RN requirement. Sorry typing on mobile is not great for me. Keep asking questions though happy to advise when I can.
Regards
Hugh

[chrisdyer]

Thank you. I know what you mean about typing on a mobile & predicted text.

[chrisdyer]

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