How would I research this sailor

[Alan Baird]

Hello,

I was wondering if anybody could give me some advice on how to research the following individual from the Royal Navy who served during War War II.

The problem is I do not have his service number and so I do not know if it would even be possible to identity him. Hopefully I can get some advice.

[a] George Desmond Jonathon Smith.

D.O.B. 1928. Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, England.

[c] Served in the Royal Navy from 1944 to 1949.

[d] Served on HMS London in 1949, during the Yangtze Incident.

[e] Released from the Navy and on the 1/11/1949 joined the Police.

Without the service number, I have no idea on how to try and verify the information that I have been given. Any help would be much appreciated. I have only ever done one other entry on this excellent site so if I make any mistakes just let me know. 

regards,

Alan. 

 

Hi,

I forgot to say that I read somewhere that only 1450 Naval General Service medals with the bar ''Yangtzi 1949'' were issued to military personnel so you would think that there would be a readily available official list of those who received the award but I can't seem to find it. 

regards,

Alan.

[QSAMIKE]

Hello Alan.......

All I can say is good luck in your search.....  They lists would be held in/at the National Archives in Kew and there may be a list at the RN Museum.....    To get the mans documents you will need his number and since it is WW2 and later you would have to make a submission to the MOD.....    My suggestion is to post your request on the British Medal Forum at the following.....

http://www.britishmedalforum.com

Mike

P.S. Maybe if you spelt it Yangtze you might have better luck......

Edited March 4, 2018 by QSAMIKE

[Alan Baird]

Hello,

       Thank you for the suggestions especially the, 'british medal forum,' which seems a particularly good idea.

I have been hoping that a collector/researcher/historian that specialised in, 'HMS London,' or the 'Yangtze Incident,' might have  relevant ship crew lists within their personal data which would have been easiest and quickest way to identify this possible crew member of HMS London.

Since he remained in the same Police Constabulary from 1/11/1949, it might be possible to obtain his Navy serial number from his original Police admission paperwork. One of the main problems with this strategy is that there were several amalgamations of County and provincial police forces over the years which might complicate that line of research.

Living in the Scottish Borders is extremely nice but unfortunately it means visiting the National Archives etc is extremely unlikely especially for only one query.

I would suspect that no submission for information to the MOD would be accepted without his Navy serial number being attached.

Therefore it may be the case that the story is known but it is not possible to factually confirm that story.

regards,

Alan.

PS apologies for any mistakes but I not that great at typing.  

[Alan Baird]

There is another site which I have found that is quite interesting and deals with the Navy etc and that is the, ''maritimequest'' site. They certainly appear to have specific knowledge regarding the Yangtze Incident and so I have left a message regarding George Desmond Jonathon Smith. It might be a long shot but for me it is worth checking.

regards,

Alan. 

[Egorka]

Hello! 

My small bit about HMS London: http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-06CA-London.htm

 

[Alan Baird]

Many thanks Egorka, every little bit counts.

regards,

Alan.

[Alan Baird]

Hello,

         This is just for information and to finish the story. I have not yet managed to locate this particular individuals Royal Navy service number but I did actually find a member of his family on Ancestry. The older members of the family knew that their brother had served on HMS London at the Yangtze in 1949. After he returned home, he spoke to one brother in particular, about what it had been like during the incident. I am still hopeful his service number may eventually be found from within the family.

Alan.

The End.   

[Farkas]

Hello Alan

it may be of no help however I believe it is possible to request information about service of family members following a certain period after death. 

If you are still in contact with his family perhaps you offer to help them do so.

The service number issue might not be such an issue in that case

best wishes

tony

 

[Alan Baird]

Hi Tony,

             I am hoping that is exactly what the family will do but I am going to leave it at that. If they do managed to get additional information I am sure they will post it on ancestry and I will find it there.  At least the younger members of the family are aware of his famous naval service.

thanks,

Alan.