Newbie member

[mikeg]

Hi

I'm afraid I jumped in and started posting before I introduced myself. Not very polite, I'm afraid.

Although I have a thirst for various aspects of Naval history, I don't have any in-depth knowledge. My interest stems from researching my father - 'Jim' Gurney who was the Coxswain of HMS Consort. Sadly he was killed during the Yangtse Incident. As a regular - started as a Boy Seaman in 1926 - he served on a variety of ships including HMS' Hood, Emperror of India, Wren, Tiger, Harebell, Orion, Halcyon, Providence, Barbados and Consort - ie Battlecruisers, Minesweepers, Frigates and Destroyers.

He was on PQ17 amongst other convoys. He was involved in a bizarre (to me) incident where his ship rescued his brother who was on a ship sunk on convoy. Don't know the facts of this - so much research to do.

Looking forward to the posts

Mike

[astraltrader]

Welcome to the forum Mike. If you enter one by one the names of the ships your father served on above in search - you should get information and even a photograph for a large number of the ones you have listed. Dont use HMS, just the name of the Ship [and try Emporer rather than Emporrer!].
If there is any information that you cannot find then tell us in another post and I am sure that someone here will help.

[mikeg]

Thanks Terry

Yes, another typo (mind you I'd originally put in Empress of India !:o).

I do have a lot of photos of most of the ships on which my Dad served but what would be really fantastic would be to learn where the ships actually were at the time he was on them. I do have some information - I do a lot of research for genealogy, so am used to following up on clues. The war years are a little easier research eg I have a day-by-day record of HMS Halcyon's movements during the time he was on her.

I will take up your suggestions and thanks

Mike

[Batstiger]

Welcome to the forum Mike.
Terry means well but if I were you I would try Emperor not Emporer.

Bob.

[astraltrader]

Ooops - I was concentrating so much on the correct number of R`s to use I got the e and o the wrong way around - sorry Mike!

[mikeg]

I'm glad it's not just me:D

Mike

[John Brown]

Mike

Welcome to the forum.

Have a look at this site and in the right hand column you will find a list of ships. Click on the ones that are of interest to you and you should see their service histories.


http://www.naval-history.net/index.htm

Good luck....John

[mikeg]

Hi John

Thanks for the info. It's a great site - unfortunately it appears that virtually every ship Dad served on is excluded.

Never mind, it could be great background reading.

Mike