Able Seaman Thomas James Chinn Royal Navy
1939-45 Star. Atlantic Star. War Medal 1939-45.
The Man Thomas James Chinn was born 17th November 1911, at 37 High Street, Eltham, Kent, son of Arthur Isaac, a Carrier and Emma Elizabeth nee Dengate and was one of eight children, Ellen Fanny (1906–1996), Violet Alice (1908–1995), Ethel Florence (1909–1971), Fanny (1913-1913), Arthur John (1915-2002), Kathleen Mary (1917–2005), Eric Donald (1922–2002). He was Church of England and Baptised at Holy Trinity Church, Eltham on 12th January 1912.
The 1921 census shows the family still living at 37 High Street.
On 9th February 1931 aged 19 Thomas enlisted into the Royal Navy as a Seaman with Service number AX 15602 and he gave his address as 13 Park Place Eltham. He was described as 6’ tall, with brown hair and grey eyes, he had a chest measurement of 37’’ and a fresh complexion. He could not swim.
He undertook various training at Portland in February and March before seeing various postings in HMS Aurora to Montreal on 16th April, New York on 1st January 1932. Then aboard RMS Ascania, an ocean liner operated by the Cunard Line. To South Africa on 13th August 1932 in RMS City of Canterbury, a passenger cargo ship and then in RMS Ascania again sailing back to Montreal, Halifax and New York for the next three years until 1936 where he attended a final training course in MS Orion leaving the Navy in February 1936 aged 25 and placed onto the reserve.
The 1937 electoral register shows Thomas living back at 13 Park Place, Eltham with his family. In 1938 he rejoined the Royal Naval Reserve with a new service number BX9711. The 1939 Register shows him living at the Royal Sailors Home, Chatham, the Royal Naval Barracks at Pembroke. Serving once again with primarily Canadian ships, Ascania, Ausonia, Georgie and Ettrick travelling to the same locations in Canada and United States. On 12th September 1939 he was called out by proclamation following the start of World War II on 3rd and saw service in HMS Pembroke I and HMS Pretoria Castle (F61), which was a Union-Castle ocean converted into a RN armed merchant cruiser, and then converted again into an escort carrier. She primarily patrolled the South Atlantic and provided escort for convoys, operating mainly out of Freetown.
On 4th December 1940 aged just 29 Thomas was discharged from the RN as being Physically Unfit For Naval Service and suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis, not helped by living and working in cramped, close quarters on ships created that an environment where the disease could spread easily among sailors.
During the third quarter of 1942, Thomas succumbed to his illness and died in St Michael’s Homes, Axbridge and was buried on 18th July in Eltham.
Thomas was posthumously awarded the 1939-45 Star, Atlantic Star and War Medal 1939-45.
For The Story - see John David Chinn.
The 1921 census shows the family still living at 37 High Street.
On 9th February 1931 aged 19 Thomas enlisted into the Royal Navy as a Seaman with Service number AX 15602 and he gave his address as 13 Park Place Eltham. He was described as 6’ tall, with brown hair and grey eyes, he had a chest measurement of 37’’ and a fresh complexion. He could not swim.
He undertook various training at Portland in February and March before seeing various postings in HMS Aurora to Montreal on 16th April, New York on 1st January 1932. Then aboard RMS Ascania, an ocean liner operated by the Cunard Line. To South Africa on 13th August 1932 in RMS City of Canterbury, a passenger cargo ship and then in RMS Ascania again sailing back to Montreal, Halifax and New York for the next three years until 1936 where he attended a final training course in MS Orion leaving the Navy in February 1936 aged 25 and placed onto the reserve.
The 1937 electoral register shows Thomas living back at 13 Park Place, Eltham with his family. In 1938 he rejoined the Royal Naval Reserve with a new service number BX9711. The 1939 Register shows him living at the Royal Sailors Home, Chatham, the Royal Naval Barracks at Pembroke. Serving once again with primarily Canadian ships, Ascania, Ausonia, Georgie and Ettrick travelling to the same locations in Canada and United States. On 12th September 1939 he was called out by proclamation following the start of World War II on 3rd and saw service in HMS Pembroke I and HMS Pretoria Castle (F61), which was a Union-Castle ocean converted into a RN armed merchant cruiser, and then converted again into an escort carrier. She primarily patrolled the South Atlantic and provided escort for convoys, operating mainly out of Freetown.
On 4th December 1940 aged just 29 Thomas was discharged from the RN as being Physically Unfit For Naval Service and suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis, not helped by living and working in cramped, close quarters on ships created that an environment where the disease could spread easily among sailors.
During the third quarter of 1942, Thomas succumbed to his illness and died in St Michael’s Homes, Axbridge and was buried on 18th July in Eltham.
Thomas was posthumously awarded the 1939-45 Star, Atlantic Star and War Medal 1939-45.
For The Story - see John David Chinn.
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Thomas Chinn's posthumous Medal Award Certificate
The 'City of Canterbury'.
Medal Details:
- 1939-45 Star: Unnamed as awarded.
- Atlantic Star: Unnamed as awarded.
- War Medal 1939-45: Unnamed as awarded.
This page last updated 2 Nov 25
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