Convoy Faith 1943

[meggy1]

Hi, hope you are all well.
I'm not sure if I'm posting in the right place, so apologies if not. I was going through my notes regarding my grandfather, Matthew Kerr Ramsay. It would seem that he was a survivor on board the SS California when it was hit by a German aircraft on 11th July 1943. The ship was part of "Convoy Faith" as it was taking nuns and priests to Sierra Leonne. I have seen a list of survivors on line but I can't for the life of me remember where. I just want to double check all the information before I attach the details to my grandfather's profile on my family tree. Would anyone be able to suggest where I saw this list please? I've tried looking everywhere I can think of, to no avail.
I would be so grateful for any thoughts.
Many thanks,
Meggy

[GrahamSimons]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_California_(1923) is a starter for you

At The National Archives     ADM 217/196   HMS SWALE: report of proceedings while escorting convoy consisting of SS CALIFORNIA DUCHESS OF YORK and PORT FAIRY from 11 to 14 July

Also ADM 199/1032/16 Report of proceedings by Commanding Officer, HMCS Iroquois. Includes a report on the loss of SS Duchess of York and SS California.

A search on their catalogue for "Convoy Faith" generates these and two other references.

What role did your grandfather have On California? Do you have his service records?

[GrahamSimons]

More...

https://sma.ie/convoy-faith-and-the-battle-of-the-atlantic-74th-anniversary/

CWGC website lists 43 dead from California and 9 from Duchess of York commemorated at Tower Hill.

[meggy1]

Hi Graham, Thank you for your reply. It's certainly an interesting story! I have located him on the Incoming Passenger Lists, 1878 - 1960. The survivors were brought home from Casablanca aboard the SS Arundel Castle.
My Grandfather is listed as a Barman which would be correct as that was his occupation with the Anchor Line before and after the war. He actually died in 1950 on board the Cilicia while it was docked in Aden. I have never discovered whether he was repatriated as his record of death doesn't state this. I'm assuming he was. Unfortunately, he and my grandmother were divorced and all contact with his side of the family was lost.
Thank you again for your interest.
Meggy

[HMac]

It would appear that he first went to sea in 1924 aboard CALIFORNIA with further voyages in 1933   and 1936, also aboard ASCANIA in 1936. There are some records for him in the Fourth Register of Seamen which will not be complete but do including a photo taken on 24th July 1949 whilst serving on CILICIA. If you do not have his discharge book then a record of his service from Jan, 1941 until his death in 1950 [CRS 10] should be held at TNA Kew if you need the file name I can post it when I have some time but you would need to visit Kew or obtain it via a researcher.
Regards
Hugh

[meggy1]

Hi HMac, Thankyou for this information. I’m thrilled to know that there’s a photo of Matthew as I only have a small one that was taken by a street photographer, probably around 1931. I don’t have his discharge book, so perhaps when we’re allowed to travel again, I’ll take a trip to Kew. I would be very grateful for the name of the file when you have time - there’s certainly no rush!
Thanks again for your interest.
Meggy

[GrahamSimons]

I've just spotted that I posted another reply on the wrong thread - here it is. I have found one downloadable document for you, but I'm sory to say think I've disproved the claim that FAITH's name had anything to do with the convoy's objectives:

I've done a bit more digging. Most convoys were numbered (PQ17 being among the infamous ones) but some were named instead. FAITH doesn't seem to have referred to the passengers - it was just another code name, for example FAUST from the Seine to Southend or HALBERD Gibraltar to Malta, IRONCLAD Clyde to Madagascar. Indeed California was in CARNIVAL Clyde to Gibraltar in 1942.There was generally an attempt to ensure that code names didn't reveal anything about whatever it was they were naming. What I haven't found out yet is why some convoys were named rather than numbered.

The shipping movement card for California is downloadable from TNA - see BT 389/6/33

[meggy1]

Oh that’s interesting Graham! Thank you for the details of the document - I’ll take a look.
Meggy

[HMac]

His CRS 10 should be held at Kew in piece BT 382/1474 - https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C10989699 this file will detail all his ships including ports of engagement and discharge.

I also have him shipping out from Glasgow in transit on the QUEEN ELIZABETH on 30 Nov 1943.
He served aboard EMPIRE MACE in 1944 and again I have him in transit on QUEEN MARY in 1944.
The file that I have linked to should make clear which ships he was joining when in tranisit on the Queen's.

Regards
Hugh