13 replies to this topic

[hamishmck]

I am trying to discover the name of the transport ship that carried my great uncle to France on the above date.
I know he sailed and landed on the 13.08.1918 from his military record.
he was then with the tank corps or machine gun corps or the northamptonshires?
i would be greatful if anyone can shed anylight on this please.
cheers Hamish Mck.

[tom compton]

What about the war diary.Tom

[hamishmck]

What about the war diary.Tom

yes of course thank you does anybody have the war diaries for the above?
thanks

[snapper]

I have a similar investigation.Although it was possible to find the names of the likely ships that ran a regular service between Folkestone and Boulogne I have been an unsuccessful in finding the actual one even though the dates of departure and arrival are known.The War Diary at that time you mention may only state when a new draft was received by the battalion but probably not the name of the ship.When the initial regiment battalion sailed to France the name of the ship probably is mentioned in the War Diary.
I am sure that there is a record of sailing times and ship names somewhere but have yet to find it.I think that it could have been one of the railway company ships that ran a ferry service to France rather than one of the larger troop ships taking troops to more distant parts.I am of course assuming that by leaving Folkestone for France that he was destined for Boulogne.In my case these were the the places of departure and arrival shown in the man`s service record.

[MG32]

As noted, the Troop ships were pre war cross channel steamers, including Anglia, Victoria, Onward and a couple of others. I have never come across comprehensive details of individual sailings for each ship. The best way to approach it might be through Ships Logs at the National Archives. A search under 'Folkestone' between 1913 and 1919 in series 'ADM' will give you a chronological list. As each Troop Ship convoy was escorted by warships, if you find the war ship log for the date of your man's sailing, that log will almost certainly say which HMTSs were being escorted.
Hope this helps.
Mike

[tom compton]

Hello. Not all troops ships were channel steamers.My granddad sailed to Boulogne from folkestone in 1915 on the St Cecelia ,a 4411 ton cargo ship.escorted by two warships. Still looking for a photo of her.Tom

[hamishmck]

I have a similar investigation.Although it was possible to find the names of the likely ships that ran a regular service between Folkestone and Boulogne I have been an unsuccessful in finding the actual one even though the dates of departure and arrival are known.The War Diary at that time you mention may only state when a new draft was received by the battalion but probably not the name of the ship.When the initial regiment battalion sailed to France the name of the ship probably is mentioned in the War Diary.
I am sure that there is a record of sailing times and ship names somewhere but have yet to find it.I think that it could have been one of the railway company ships that ran a ferry service to France rather than one of the larger troop ships taking troops to more distant parts.I am of course assuming that by leaving Folkestone for France that he was destined for Boulogne.In my case these were the the places of departure and arrival shown in the man`s service record.

hi and thanks for this. I am researching my great uncle and as i am sure you have experienced, these 'simple, how hard can it be tasks' grow arms and legs. i know he sailed from Folkestone to Boulonge on the 13.8.1918  from his service record and wrongly thought that i could discover the name of the ship and then locate a picture of this to add to the growing information i have. How niave i am. I also wrongly assumed that there would only be a ship a day not the level of traffic you hint at. Anyway if anyone can help it would be great and very much appreciated.
cheers

[hamishmck]

As noted, the Troop ships were pre war cross channel steamers, including Anglia, Victoria, Onward and a couple of others. I have never come across comprehensive details of individual sailings for each ship. The best way to approach it might be through Ships Logs at the National Archives. A search under 'Folkestone' between 1913 and 1919 in series 'ADM' will give you a chronological list. As each Troop Ship convoy was escorted by warships, if you find the war ship log for the date of your man's sailing, that log will almost certainly say which HMTSs were being escorted.
Hope this helps.
Mike

Hi Mike, thank you so much for this really helpful stuff. I will look into it first chance i have.
you would think that there would be a list somewhere but alas not yet.
anyway thanks again.

Hello. Not all troops ships were channel steamers.My granddad sailed to Boulogne from folkestone in 1915 on the St Cecelia ,a 4411 ton cargo ship.escorted by two warships. Still looking for a photo of her.Tom

yep thanks for this and good luck with the photo.
i thought it would be too easy for only x channel steamers to be involved.
thanks again.

[snapper]

Hi,
I was informed that the Folkestone sailing records could be in the Guild Hall Library ,where ever that is,but I havnt got round to that one yet.Some of the NA records do give ships and sailing times but not necessarily the details you would require  as I found out to my cost.In 1915 initial battalions were still being sent out en mass.I am never 100% sure about anything until it can be confirmed.There must be an expert somewhere.Even though a comparatively short journey tides are still a consideration even with the low water extension at Folkestone.If any one knows the ship that sailed on the last tide possible on 31st March 1918 whether or not it was a ferry ship or a larger type then it could answer my question .
                                                         George.

[snapper]

Hello. Not all troops ships were channel steamers.My granddad sailed to Boulogne from folkestone in 1915 on the St Cecelia ,a 4411 ton cargo ship.escorted by two warships. Still looking for a photo of her.Tom

Tom,
     Was that the same St Cecelia that was  sunk by a mine 26th March 1916 or was there more than one?
Perhaps Bacon`s Dover Patrol lists the ships that sailed from Folkestone in August (as well as March) 1918
George

[sotonmate]

Snapper

The Guildhall Library is quite near to the Tower Hill Memorial in London. They do have a fair collection of maritime records,I delved there on a few occasions researching WW2 troopship movements.
If you Google "Guildhall Library Aldermanbury" you will get some links.
A thought has occurred to me in respect of shipping arrivals and departures. The Customs and Excise service had a system whereby ALL vessel movements were recorded in a weighty tome entitled Pier Head Book.each one exclusive to it's "home" port. I wonder if any archives hold these,or a representative sample as there must have been an awful lot ?

Sotonmate.

Edit: answering my own question I find that the East Kent Archives Centre in Dover has shipping registers (and I did search under C&E) which include Folkestone from 1855 to 1994,as well as Dover and Ramsgate. I know that Charles Fair has had an interest in Folkestone with regard to a book/books found there where soldiers have signed in before leaving for France,maybe he knows if anything is available in that respect.

[tom compton]

Snapper. Thats the same ship.The St Cecelia had a short life,built in Greenock in 1913 sunk by a mine in the channel on the 26 march 1916. Mine laid by UC 6. I would love a photo of both these vessels.Tom

[Gunner Bailey]

Snapper

The Guildhall Library is quite near to the Tower Hill Memorial in London. They do have a fair collection of maritime records,I delved there on a few occasions researching WW2 troopship movements.
If you Google "Guildhall Library Aldermanbury" you will get some links.

There is some confusion here. The Guildhall Library is next to the Guildhall just between Gresham Street and Cheapside. I think there is a Merchant Navy office near Tower Hill behind the WW2 memorial.

John

[sotonmate]

John

Just saw your post ! The Guildhall Library that I visited is at Aldermanbury,if you walk about ten minutes down the street there is the Tower Hill Memorial ! I did it three times over a few weeks to meet an old colleague for lunch !
No confusion for me !

Sotonmate