Example of a Merchant Mariner’s First World War Medal Roll Card

Source: TNA: PRO BT 351/0601

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Surname...THOMAS......	Cert. or Dis. A) ...OC 036771...
Christian names...DAVID ALBAN.....	R.S.2 No......
Place of Birth.....Aberayron......	Year of Birth....1879....
Mercantile Marine Ribbon issued....9/9/19....	to M.M.O ...)Bristol.....
British Medal Ribbon issued....9/9/19....	to M.M.O ...)
Mercantile Marine Medal issued....1.12.22...	to M.M.O...Snowdonian Aberayron...
British Medal issued....1.12.22.....	to M.M.O....Card....
........ Clasps issued ...............
On reverse:- Application dated 11 Sept 1919

The above is a representation of the card itself, the use of italics showing entries in ink. Apart from the medal ribbons and medals issued there are a few pieces of information recorded of genealogical use. In cases where the relevant cards of alphabetical series within the Central Index Register are missing, the ‘Discharge A’ number allows a way into the other parts of this paper system. Also, interestingly mariners’ post war addresses seem often to have been recorded on these medal roll cards.

For information:-

David Alban Thomas was a master mariner of very good standing. His address ‘Snowdonian’ in Aberaeron (then with the Englified spelling of Aberayron) was named after his favourite command. SNOWDONIAN was sunk by the German cruiser submarine U155 after a fierce fight, on 31^st July 1917, deep in the Atlantic. The house was not bought until after the end of the war and remains in the family’s ownership.

Go to the main First World War medal roll page for the Merchant Service and Naval Reserves

Go to the main Mercantile page