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By *Six-foot breakers have torn into already-eroded beaches in Volusia and Flagler counties, uprooting more than 100 poles marking conservation zones and scouring sand out from under walkovers. In Volusia, all but a few sections of beach are closed to driving, and will be indefinitely Hello again Mac, I trust you and your family are keeping well and not overdoing things too much like last year !!!! Anyway Mac, as I recall I told you before about another photo of Edward which had to be found so that we would know a little more about his ranking.....well - guess what - We have finally found it in my wife`s Aunt`s posession and I have now made safely backed up copies of it. I have enclosed a picture of him in the uniform concerned and was taken around 1977-78 in the family home. This would have been immediately before he comitted suicide. As a guide I have also included close up images of his stripes on his cuffs as well as a closer image of his cap (Which is very blurry in the original photo that I sent you) and also I can see different coloured blocks above the left hand pocket of his blazer.Would you happen to know what these might signify so I can put our minds at ease. Also the order has now been processed with the National Archives here in Great Britain for his service records. I have paid for them and I am now awaiting delivery of them. Would you happen to know roughly what they would contain. There will be 13 Units ( A3 size sheets) which will contain information. Is this a lot for a merchant Navy seamans records or is this about average. I can only presume you have your service records but these will probably differ as you were in the Royal Navy....am I correct with this assumption ? I am not sure how long I will have to wait for the records but you will surely get a copy as always !!! Anyway the pictures are attached and I hope they will help us further. Even a ranking would help !!! Thank you once again Mac and remember to take care. Yours
Here we go!! The stripes on Edward's cuff, if there is no colour between the stripes, he was a Chief Officer ( one immediately below the Captain, and a Seaman Officer ) If there are colours between each stripe, please tell me the colour, which defines which branch the officer served in eg. Engineering, Pursers, Electrician, Medical. His Cap badge confirms what I earlier indicated, he was a Merchant Navy Officer, this badge is common for all MN Officers, irrespective of branch. The colour blocks above the LH pocket of his uniform jacket are his WW2 Campaign Stars, and Medal ribbons. From L to R, they look like, the 39-45 Star is always worn first ( it may be partly hidden by the uniform lapel, the Atlantic Star would come next, I can't make it out, but would expect him to have earned it, the red/white/green/white/red ribbon is the Italy Star for service in Sicily and Italy between the 11th. of June 1943 and the 8th. of May 1945. ( I would have thought he would be a POW at that time, Thor sank Voltaire on the 4th. of April 1941 ) The last ribbon is the War Medal 1939-1945. Is there a second row? I cannot really make one out. Separately, I will E-Mail two photos of the WW2 Campaign Stars and Medals, you can then pick out the colours of the ribbons on Edward's uniform jacket yourself. I really cannot comment on his MN records, but 15 by A4 sheets does seem a lot, he may have moved through a number of ships, all would be documented. His promotions from Third Officer ( one stripe ) Second Officer ( two stripes ) to Chief Officer ( three stripes ) would be noted. The Captain wears four stripes. He would have passed exams for each step, all noted, no doubt he passed his Master's ticket, to allow him to take command in due course. If he was a POW in Germany, I would expect that to be noted. His time on leave, physical exams, innoculations, sick time etc, all would I think be in his MN records. I was an Executive Officer in the Royal Australian Navy for 20 years, my records cover every appointment, every promotion from Cadet Midshipman to Lieutenant Commander. My examinations passed from all the courses I undertook. My Medical and Dental records. In fact a dossier of my total time in the RAN. I have yakked on Sarah, but am trying to help you understand what I think you may find when the records It is after midnight here, must away. Look after yourself, Yours,
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