Press release

The National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas, Staffordshire was established to commemorate those who lost their lives in the course of their duties since the beginning of the 20th century. The largest single site within the Arboretum is the Merchant Navy Convoy which consists of 2,535 oaks; one for each British merchant vessel lost during World War II.

That conflict was chosen as it represented the largest Merchant Navy (MN) losses during any one conflict – 31,908 souls (proportionately a higher loss than any of the three armed services). The Convoy however is a reminder of all such sacrifices made by British merchant seafarers and fishermen in over 100 years of conflicts which include not only World War I, Korea, Suez, Kuwait and the Falklands, but also wars of other nations such Iran/Iraq and Vietnam.

The Merchant Navy Welfare Board, on behalf of the MN, has purchased one of the anchors from the now dismantled Royal Fleet Auxiliary landing ship ‘Sir Percivale’. She took part in amphibious operations throughout that War, firstly landing troops in San Carlos Bay and subsequently was the first British vessel to enter Port Stanley following the Argentinian surrender. The vessel later served in the Gulf War of 1991, was twice deployed in support of British operations in the Balkans and was present at the handover of Hong Kong to China. She was crewed throughout her life by officers and ratings of the MN.

The anchor will be mounted on a plinth and become one of the centrepieces in the central glade of the Convoy. The Board has taken responsibility for collecting funds and arranging the Service of Dedication. This will take place on Wednesday 8th June 2011 at 12.30 pm on the site during UK’s “Seafarers’ Awareness Week”. The date marks the anniversary of the bombing of ‘Sir Percivale’s’ sister ships – ‘Sir Galahad’ and ‘Sir Tristram’ – in Bluff Cove during the Falklands war.

Photographs courtesy of the MNWB