h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Well, researching a family member's wartime service history is certainly a tricky business. Here are a couple of things that have so far made it a bit harder:

* His only surviving relative from the war was too young at the time to remember much about it

* HMS Venus must be the least-written-about ship in the entire Royal Navy - up until after dad had left it

* HMS Royal Albert must be the second least-written-about Royal Navy installation. Second only to HMS Venus

* HMS Venus must be the only ship in the navy not to have a veteran's association

* Except HMS Royal Albert, which doesn't have one either

* Coastal Forces boats are known by numbers and there's tons of them. So unless I know that he was on motor launch 303 it's going to be a real challenge

* Royal Navy ships did not keep 'war diaries' or an equivalent. Ship's logs record limited geographical data - oh, of course that's only for 1939 and early 1940. There's nothing after that


It's not all bad news though. We are in the process of requesting his service record from Gosport. Unfortunately, and despite the crafty name, a 'service record' is not a 'record of service'. However, it *should* provide name, rank, number as well as a list of ships and shore installations he was on. If this includes an identifying feature of whichever Coastal Forces boat he was on then it's game on.

I have been in touch with the V & W Class Destroyers Association. Although unfortunately they have no members from the Venus, they were able to tell me a little bit of information about the Venus

The good news is that Mr Bridge, the National Secretary of the Coastal Forces Veterans Association, has very kindly offered to help me in my enquiries once I have heard back from Centurion House with a service record.

The PRO seems to have a document which refers to medals conferred upon various members of convoy JW56B, including on the Venus. Although this won't be my dad, it's possible the document contains information about the convoy's action (ADM 1/29484). They also have some sort of convoy record of convoy to Russia RA56. I wonder if this and JW56 are somehow related (ADM 237/961)?

I have been in contact with Mr Mike Crowe of the National Service (Royal Navy) Association who has provided immeasurable help, advice and support (Mike, you were right - the bug does bite!). Mike also happens to be the Secretary of the HMS Collingwood Association. I am exploring this avenue further.

There are numerous websites that allow for people to search for old comrades. I have taken the liberty of asking for help on several. I have also found one or two people to email in the hope that they may have served with, or known, my dad. Although to no avail (so far), I did receive the most wonderful email from Mr Henry, now based in Texas but previously of HMS Venus. He sent me a wonderful account of his time on the Venus, including a great first-hand account of the attack on the Haguro. You never know, it may appear here on this site one day.

From memory, that's pretty much where I'm at. Not really much to go on, is it?

Things to do:
* Contact the Russian Convoys Association
* Contact his old RBL branch
* Contact Mike Crowe about Collingwood
* Go to National Archives (PRO)
* Twiddle thumbs awaiting news of a service record (what if they don't have it?)