Hi Tad! I love reading your informative and thoughtful posts about the Callin/Matcham family and all its branches. Just a slight correction in this article: only 1 of Ruth and Richard’s children is still alive - their youngest daughter who was put up for adoption. My mother, Sally and her brother, Richard passed away in 2012 and 2014, respectively. The picture you have with this story is of my uncle Richard Roland, Jr. There are pictures of his father, Richard Roland, in my ancestry tree and you are free to use them if you like. Cheers!
I'm a bit confused about his service history - mostly the rating (jobs) he did. It seems a little strange to me he went from an Aviation support person to Fireman on a submarine. Did you get his OMPF from NPRC or are you relying on Muster Rolls? Since you have his discharge with his serial number it sounds like you traced him accurately but is still strange. Did his service file give reasons why he trained in aviation and then was transferred?
I'm a professional WWII researcher which is why I'm asking. I've seen interesting and strange things in all military files so I'm always curious. I'm currently writing a brief bio on one Naval man in WWII for a local museum exhibit. This man - in the Navy - had service in Germany. Sounds crazy but I did some research and the Navy brought in Landing Craft to help build bridges across the Rhine River after the Germans blew bridges. I had no idea the Navy went inland until I saw his file. There is always something new to learn.
I wondered about that change, too - and yes, I was just relying on muster rolls. He is the "husband of 1st cousin 2x removed" and I've never dealt with getting OMPF records. (Do I have to be next of kin to request those?)
If you'd like to look at the muster rolls I found, there are 22 of them attached to his profile on my Ancestry tree:
I took a look at some of the Muster Rolls and it seems he was an Apprentice Seaman and trained in several locations until he became a Fireman on the vessels. It's interesting that he was sent through so many vessels in such a short period of time. Usually you are trained and then sent to one primary station or vessel.
If you want to get his OMPF you can request it. You don't have to be next-of-kin. ALthough NPRC has been wonky sometimes since Nov 2023 and sending out discharge papers only citing they've used all available resources to give you that. Nothing has been the same since they were closed 2020-2022 and then reopened. So if you only get a discharge then you'll need to go there and copy the file or hire someone. If you need his file only I can connect you to the person I work with there who pulls my records for me.
That would be great - @PALMERHK206 might be more interested in Richard's record, but I will also have questions about both of my grandfathers' records - please feel free to pass along my email (mightieracorns at gmail).
To clarify - the NPRC is near St. Louis, correct? I am in Texas, but visit Baltimore a couple of times a year, so if a physical trip is needed, I can plan for that.
Hi Tad! I love reading your informative and thoughtful posts about the Callin/Matcham family and all its branches. Just a slight correction in this article: only 1 of Ruth and Richard’s children is still alive - their youngest daughter who was put up for adoption. My mother, Sally and her brother, Richard passed away in 2012 and 2014, respectively. The picture you have with this story is of my uncle Richard Roland, Jr. There are pictures of his father, Richard Roland, in my ancestry tree and you are free to use them if you like. Cheers!
Thank you, Holly - looks like I need to update my Ancestry tree!
I will correct that photo as soon as possible. I appreciate the quick feedback.
I'm a bit confused about his service history - mostly the rating (jobs) he did. It seems a little strange to me he went from an Aviation support person to Fireman on a submarine. Did you get his OMPF from NPRC or are you relying on Muster Rolls? Since you have his discharge with his serial number it sounds like you traced him accurately but is still strange. Did his service file give reasons why he trained in aviation and then was transferred?
I'm a professional WWII researcher which is why I'm asking. I've seen interesting and strange things in all military files so I'm always curious. I'm currently writing a brief bio on one Naval man in WWII for a local museum exhibit. This man - in the Navy - had service in Germany. Sounds crazy but I did some research and the Navy brought in Landing Craft to help build bridges across the Rhine River after the Germans blew bridges. I had no idea the Navy went inland until I saw his file. There is always something new to learn.
I wondered about that change, too - and yes, I was just relying on muster rolls. He is the "husband of 1st cousin 2x removed" and I've never dealt with getting OMPF records. (Do I have to be next of kin to request those?)
If you'd like to look at the muster rolls I found, there are 22 of them attached to his profile on my Ancestry tree:
https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/7393252/person/25121527190/facts
I assume the discrepancy comes from one of three errors:
1. I misidentified one of the ratings when I looked them up.
2. He was cross-trained at the last minute due to either a service need or maybe a deficiency in his training.
3. There was some clerical mix-up.
If there is one universal truth about the military, it is that there is an exception for everything!
I took a look at some of the Muster Rolls and it seems he was an Apprentice Seaman and trained in several locations until he became a Fireman on the vessels. It's interesting that he was sent through so many vessels in such a short period of time. Usually you are trained and then sent to one primary station or vessel.
If you want to get his OMPF you can request it. You don't have to be next-of-kin. ALthough NPRC has been wonky sometimes since Nov 2023 and sending out discharge papers only citing they've used all available resources to give you that. Nothing has been the same since they were closed 2020-2022 and then reopened. So if you only get a discharge then you'll need to go there and copy the file or hire someone. If you need his file only I can connect you to the person I work with there who pulls my records for me.
That would be great - @PALMERHK206 might be more interested in Richard's record, but I will also have questions about both of my grandfathers' records - please feel free to pass along my email (mightieracorns at gmail).
To clarify - the NPRC is near St. Louis, correct? I am in Texas, but visit Baltimore a couple of times a year, so if a physical trip is needed, I can plan for that.
I’ll email you.