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It is Merchant Navy Day on Monday . Britain's households would soon notice if the ships that bring our imports of food, consumer goods and fuel, failed to arrive at a UK port every few minutes of every day, as is the case now, when all is well. Retail shops' shelves would soon be nearly empty, as would the local filling station and soon the car's tank and the bus. Heating in winter would become tricky, too.
LINK: New frigate | This is Plymouth
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Thornley Christiansen said after the Second World War, those who served in Canada’s merchant navy have largely been forgotten.
But without them, Christiansen said on Monday, the Allies would have had a much tougher time defeating the Germans and Japanese.
LINK: Overdue recognition - Thunder Bay News Tbnewswatch.com
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MOSMAN will soon have a reminder of the forgotten heroes of war.
A plaque commemorating the merchant navy will be installed at the Mosman Cenotaph.
The honour comes following a 15-year campaign by Mosman resident and retired merchant seaman Ron Wylie.
LINK: Recognition at last for merchant navy - Council - News - Mosman Daily
Sacrifices made by sailors to keep Britain’s sea lanes open will be marked with two events this month. The Red Ensign, standard of the Merchant Navy, flies proudly today on the service’s annual memorial day, while the First Sea Lord will take the salute in London at a parade honouring all merchantmen lost in conflict.
Today, Monday September 3, is Merchant Navy Day, a date in the diary set aside since 2000 for remembering merchant sailors who gave their lives in two world wars to ensure Britain survived blockade.
The merchant marine’s famous standard, the Red Ensign – commonly referred to by sailors as the ‘red duster’ – is being flown over the Department for Transport’s headquarters at Great Minster House in Westminster.
Indeed, on September 3 all public buildings are permitted (and encouraged) to raise the Red Ensign.
Today there are around 500 ships displacing more than 1,000 tons which fly the merchant marine’s standard. Although the Merchant Navy has shrunk substantially since WW1 and WW2, the UK relies on sea trade to sustain it with some 1.5 million tons of freight passing through the nation’s ports daily.
September 3 was chosen as the anniversary of the outbreak of war between Britain and Germany in 1939 – and the day when the Battle of the Atlantic began, with the first loss of life that very evening as the liner Athenia was torpedoed with the loss of 112 passengers and crew.
Those crew were the first of more than 20,000 merchant sailors lost between 1939 and 1945, while just under 15,000 men were lost under the Red Ensign in the 20th Century’s first global conflagration. More recently, six crew of the Atlantic Conveyor died when their container ship was struck by an Exocet missile during the Falklands War.
“Merchant Navy Day is an opportunity to not only remember seafarers of the past, but to look to a bright future for UK shipping. More than 20,000 merchant seafarers lost their lives in the Second World War alone, while working to provide this country with the means to survive,” said shipping minister Mike Penning.
“We owe those brave seafarers a debt of gratitude for their sacrifices and the contribution they made to our national wellbeing.”
LINK: Britain Celebrates Merchant Navy Day >> Naval Today
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Red Ensign flies for Merchant Navy Day:
The Red Ensign flag will fly over the headquarters of the Department for Transport to mark the UK’s thirteenth Merchant Navy Day on Monday 3 September.
Press release byDepartment for Transport, 3 September 2012
LINK: Department for Transport - Department for Transport
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Since its introduction in 2000, Merchant Navy Day has provided an opportunity to remember the sacrifices of the seafarers of the past, to show appreciation for British shipping today and look ahead to the UK’s future as a maritime nation.
LINK: Flag to fly in tribute to Merchant Navy (From Stourbridge News)
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I have just sent a EM to our local paper that they did not even mention about MNdaythere was not one little item about it bugger all it got up my nose a bit so i told them so in no even terms in Dunedin it was very quiet
Same here Louis, no mention in the local papers, so a message sent, but at least the Red Ensign was flying on the Town Hall (it took a lot of letters) but doubt if any knew its significance
A great attendance yesterday in Liverpool,both at St Nicks church and the Pier Head. The amount of people was increased owing to some Tall Ships leaving the Albert Dock,and I and other exMN had the honour of explaning to these visitors the reason for our gathering ,with Standards flying and the Band playing. During the Pier Head service,the Sun came out and the Tall Ships passed in Line Ahead,a wonderful backdrop to a wonderful Day.
ttfn.Peter.
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Hi Peter , I was there in the Church on Sunday and again on the Pier head, it was a good show with the Parade of Sail got a few photos of it. then the planes flying overhead and up and down the Mersey.
I was amazed at the number of people who came up to me asking, What is this meeting about?
I told them they should Know what it is about. unbelievable the ignorance of it all. Nothing on TV this year..
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Good Curry and chips and the pan of Scouse went down well at the Eldonian with a pint or two.
. Cheers
Brian.