Dear Listers, Would any of those living in Queensland, or more specifically Brisbane, have any suggestions as to where I might discover further information regarding John Thomas RUMMINS. We know that he was serving as Chief Cook (having been promoted from Assistant Cook) on the ship Pilbarra, of the Australasian United Steam Navigation Company, as it left Sydney on the 23rd January 1915. He signed off on the 26th January 1915 when this ship reached Brisbane, although there was no indication of a reason shown. It is possible that Rummins had been filling in for a D Campbell who had been another Chief Cook on the vessel late in 1914. Rummins had earlier worked on several of the company ships as they plied between various Australian coastal ports. His signature on the 26th appears clear indicating he was well when he left the boat. After the 26th January 1915 no further record of his movements have yet been found. Does anybody know of any Brisbane records of seamen being engaged on vessels after this date, or seamen's' homes where he might have stayed between jobs? At nearly 60 years of age, when he was claiming to be 50, he was possibly thinking of making his way back to the UK as he was then giving an English address on the Articles of Agreement and Accounts of Crew listings. He has not been recorded in indexes, or in Discharges or Engagement records, as entering or leaving Sydney as a crew member between 1915 and 1922. He does not have a mention of any Merchant or Naval records of persons serving during WW1. There is no John Thomas Rummins listed as dying in UK, or Australian states following 1915. Just where to go next is a mystery to us and we wondered if any obscure records known to members of this list might shed further light on our search. We have gradually been learning of his maritime employment from the 1880s but after searching for 30 years we sill do not know what became of him. Any suggestions would be gratefully received. Thanks and Regards Elizabeth

Well, he doesn't seem to have settled in Queensland. No sign of him on the 1913, 1922 and 1934 electoral rolls. > There is no John Thomas Rummins listed as dying in UK Well if he spent much of his life at sea, he may have died there. Did you check the marine deaths for the UK? Here in Queensland, marine deaths are part of the general death index but not so in the UK. Kerry