Jackie, 'mercantile marine' can just mean any shipping employed in commerce and so, if you go into it, you would be becoming a sailor in commercial rather than naval ships. However, in 1915/1916 the distinction could be rather fine as, because of the U-boat menace often the merchant ships had some armament, frequently of rather small calibre. I fear this might make your field of search much wider! John

I would agree, hence my reason, earlier, for searching as wide as I did. Good luck Jackie. Janet ----- Original Message ----- From: "John Greig" > Jackie, > > 'mercantile marine' can just mean any shipping employed in commerce and so, > if you go into it, you would be becoming a sailor in commercial rather than > naval ships. However, in 1915/1916 the distinction could be rather fine as, > because of the U-boat menace often the merchant ships had some armament, > frequently of rather small calibre. > > I fear this might make your field of search much wider! > > John