The Scottish War Graves Project

Adam Brown · Joined: 21 Sep 2007 Posts: 714 Location: Edinburgh

We had this query in the SMRG mailbox from Munir:

I have been searching for the burial place of a relative of ours. places like find a grave and Scottish People archives have not returned a result.

Our relatives name was Abdul Karim he was a seaman and he died on board SS Dilwaara on Oct 11th 1944 at Queens Docks Glasgow. His death certificate says Kelvingrove.

I understand that there are two unnamed seamen buried at Cardonald cemetery. Could one of them be him?

Are there any other unnamed seamen buried in other Glasgow cemeteries. If anyone can help we will be forever grateful. A thousand thanks.

kenmorrison · Joined: 05 Oct 2008 Posts: 747

Adam - we would need to know the occupation and the cause of death from the DCert to be sure, but it's likely that it was due to illness and, if he was a merchant seaman, then his death will not be recorded by CWGC, etc.
Merchant seaman records are probably the only source of information. See http://www.rmg.co.uk/researchers/library/research-guides/the-merchant-navy/tracing-people-crewlists-agreements-logs

If this is the same man there appears to be a Campaign Medal Cards for him at the National Archives - which can be downloaded for a fee.
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/s/res?discoveryCustomSearch=true&_fn=abdul&_ln=karim&_no=&_ser=BT+395&_col=online&_dt=S&image1.x=54&image1.y=16

kinnethmont · Joined: 25 Mar 2008 Posts: 121 Location: aberdeenshire

apanderson · Joined: 02 Oct 2007 Posts: 6903 Location: Stirlingshire

Abdul Karim is buried in Old Monkland Cemetery, Coatbridge but at the moment I can't find him on the Old Monkland thread!

I know the stone is in Section 14/15 which is directly 'behind' the yard and office heading towards Edinburgh Road.

Anne

*Edit

Found him!! Very Happy

See (Page 14) http://scottishwargraves.phpbbweb.com/viewtopic.php?t=93&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=195

GARIM ABDUL
Bediende K.V.
Koninkriik Der Nederlanden (Kingdom of the Netherlands)
20th August 1944
Age 50

kenmorrison · Joined: 05 Oct 2008 Posts: 747

Sorry Anne , different guy.
SPeople has Abdul Karim, Steward, Netherlands Merchant Navy. Age 50.
Died in Govan 20 August 1944. Cardiac failure.
Usual Residence on board SS Nieuw Amsterdam of Rotterdam.

Abdul Karim, Seaman, SS Dilwara, Queen's Dock, Glasgow. Age 56.
Died on board 11 October 1944. Bronchitis and cardiac failure.
Father's name Golam Rahman - and the death is also indexed under that name.

The "Dilwara" was a troopship (the first specifically designed as a troopship) and took part in several actions in the Med. and in the Far East which might explain why Abdul was entitled to Campaign Medals (but I've no idea of the "rules")

apanderson · Joined: 02 Oct 2007 Posts: 6903 Location: Stirlingshire

Oh well,

Back to the drawing board!

Anne

kenmorrison · Joined: 05 Oct 2008 Posts: 747

I think the family are going to have to contact or visit the Glasgow City Archives at The Mitchell Library.
Their guide is at: http://www.glasgowfamilyhistory.org.uk/ExploreRecords/Pages/Burial-Lair-and-Cremation-Registers.aspx

Would his religious belief have dictated a cremation or a burial and if the latter would it have been in a specific burial ground.

Adam Brown · Joined: 21 Sep 2007 Posts: 714 Location: Edinburgh

Thanks for all the replies. I'll go back with what has been found out. Ken's suggestion about his religion may provide some extra clues.

Thanks

Adam