My Uncle Geoffry Wallace Kitching was in the Merchant Navy for a large part of his working life. I had thought he was in the Merchant Navy throughout the WWII but I was recently told that during the war he was on Motor Torpedo Boats rescuing downed airmen and crew from torpedoed ships. As he passed away many years ago and had no family to speak of, other than the one he married into - all the information I have is based on narrative and the medals he was awarded. These included the 1939 - 1945 Star (which I had thought was only awarded to Armed Forces not Merchant Navy seamen), the Atlantic Star and the War Medal 1939-45.
How can I find out if whether he was in the Royal Navy Coastal Forces? Were any members of the Merchant Navy used to man MBTs? Would MBTs have been used to rescue airmen or was another class of boat used for this type of work? It may be that the information I have been given is slightly off.
Any information on guidance on how I may find out more information would be gratefully received.
Thank you in advance
Anna