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Re: ON-89 Survivors of British Workman
Posted by: MPC ()
Date: November 12, 2008 07:23PM

Hi Shelia,

On your father's papers the date 17/4/42 will have been the day he joined the ship, probably in Liverpool as the convoy sailed from there. The days between his joining and the ship sailing would have been used to either unload/load cargo or if she was sailing empty to have sorted out the ballast - ships have to have something in the holds to keep them stable.

The date of discharge 3/5/42 would have been his last day of pay for that period. At that time, when a British merchant vessel was sunk the man's pay stopped on the day of sinking be he alive or not. Not very fair, I know, but that is how it was at the time.

The almost two year gap could be for a variety of reasons - perhaps impossible to find out now. He could have stayed in Canada and worked ashore or returned to the U.K. as DBS (Distressed British Seaman) and found alternative employment before returning to sea.

Hope this is of some help

Regards
MPC

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Subject Written By Posted
ON-89 Survivors of British Workman SGerner 11/12/2008 03:18AM
Re: ON-89 Survivors of British Workman Ken Dunn 11/12/2008 03:31AM
Re: ON-89 Survivors of British Workman SGerner 11/12/2008 03:44AM
Re: ON-89 Survivors of British Workman Ken Dunn 11/12/2008 04:32AM
Re: ON-89 Survivors of British Workman SGerner 11/12/2008 03:46PM
Re: ON-89 Survivors of British Workman MPC 11/12/2008 07:23PM
Re: ON-89 Survivors of British Workman Ken Dunn 11/12/2008 07:57PM
Re: ON-89 Survivors of British Workman Henry Woods Bell 05/21/2010 04:58PM


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