We hope you’re enjoying searching the new Merchant Navy Seamen records at findmypast.co.uk! We thought we’d share a few of the most interesting records we’ve found in the collection with you - first for a ’show and tell’ are the youngest and oldest seamen we’ve been able to find.
Be sure to let us know if you’ve found any who are older or younger!
Youngest seamen
Archie Kerr, a 12 year old ordinary seaman - please click to enlarge
Archie Kerr was just 12 years old and is the youngest seaman we’ve found in the records. He was born in Beith and worked as an ordinary seaman on the Glaisdale.
Eric Granville Abbott, a 13 year old deck boy - please click to enlarge
Eric Granville Abbott was 13 years old. He was born on 15th May 1905 in Leytonstone and was employed as a deck boy on the Highland Laddie in 1919. His record includes a photo and tells us that he was 5’6’’ tall with fair hair and blue eyes. His next of kin was listed as being George Walton Abbott – perhaps his father?
Oldest seamen
George Field, a 78 year old steward - please click to enlarge
At 78 years old, George Field is the oldest seaman we’ve found in the records – and his record includes a photo! He was born on 9th April 1843 in London and worked as a Steward. A note on his record tells us that he died on 18th December 1929. He served on a whopping eight different vessels, the majority of which are recorded by number rather than name. You can use the CLIP website to find out which ships these numbers refer to.
John Prosser, a 64 year old boatswain - please click to enlarge
John Prosser is the second oldest marine we’ve found, at 64 years old. He was born on 24th March 1857 in Milford Haven and was employed as a boatswain on the Norman Monarch in 1921. His record includes a lovely photograph too.
More...
Be sure to let us know if you’ve found any who are older or younger!
Youngest seamen
Archie Kerr, a 12 year old ordinary seaman - please click to enlarge
Archie Kerr was just 12 years old and is the youngest seaman we’ve found in the records. He was born in Beith and worked as an ordinary seaman on the Glaisdale.
Eric Granville Abbott, a 13 year old deck boy - please click to enlarge
Eric Granville Abbott was 13 years old. He was born on 15th May 1905 in Leytonstone and was employed as a deck boy on the Highland Laddie in 1919. His record includes a photo and tells us that he was 5’6’’ tall with fair hair and blue eyes. His next of kin was listed as being George Walton Abbott – perhaps his father?
Oldest seamen
George Field, a 78 year old steward - please click to enlarge
At 78 years old, George Field is the oldest seaman we’ve found in the records – and his record includes a photo! He was born on 9th April 1843 in London and worked as a Steward. A note on his record tells us that he died on 18th December 1929. He served on a whopping eight different vessels, the majority of which are recorded by number rather than name. You can use the CLIP website to find out which ships these numbers refer to.
John Prosser, a 64 year old boatswain - please click to enlarge
John Prosser is the second oldest marine we’ve found, at 64 years old. He was born on 24th March 1857 in Milford Haven and was employed as a boatswain on the Norman Monarch in 1921. His record includes a lovely photograph too.
More...