The Forgotten Service...still forgotten.

[j.sabourn]

The badge itself , to give it a bit more meaning and for family who may find it in the attic in years to come and wonder about it, for a couple of dollars I have had engraved on the back, my initials and discharge number , and N.P. 1007 .. 78/82 Will identify it, and who knows may add value to a badge. The same with more elaborate medals, if not already engraved. However other medals with citations are already recorded in special records kept in various safe government depositories. However having a means of identification of any piece of jewellery is best to have . JWS

[Zoe Kenyon]

Hello everyone

I just wanted you all to know that there ARE others out here still trying to raise awareness of the Merchant Navy's astonishing history! I was horrified to discover how little I knew about it when researching my great-grandfather's role in the Arctic convoys (he was RN) - so horrified that I wrote a book (fiction based on fact) to try and help get it out there. Many of the people who worked at the publishers didn't know anything about the MN either - but they were genuinely amazed and humbled by some of the things they learnt. I'm still trying to get articles into newspapers (though sadly, as many of you have discovered, this is a struggle - but The Scotsman came good (https://www.scotsman.com/news/braver...-ewe-1-4736080, for one, and I hope to do more!).

I know the Arctic convoys are only one small part of the history of the MN - BUT please don't despair - there are people out there who ARE interested - I meet them every day - and we will keep pushing for more recognition and understanding - and definitely not let the MN become a quiz question!

all the best
Vanessa (de Haan)
(Zoe Kenyon is my writing name before I married!)

[Captain Kong]

I have a DVD of the Russian Convoys made by the Russians, Convoy PQ17 is in it, it was given to me by a friend who has since died, Bob Fairley, The Russians took several Veterans to St, Petersburg and then on to Murmansk and then took them out into the Berents Sea and to the site of their sunken ships, where they could cast a wreath into the sea, they even had under water sonar cameras which gave them a picture of their old ships. Then they had a parade through the city of Murmansk ,
I took a couple of photos of Bob from the DVD, on that trip where they were feted as Heroes, Bob was a very small man but a Very Big Hero.
Cheers
Brian

[Keith at Tregenna]

Hello everyone

I just wanted you all to know that there ARE others out here still trying to raise awareness of the Merchant Navy's astonishing history!

all the best
Vanessa (de Haan)
(Zoe Kenyon is my writing name before I married!)

My latest local media / press attempt for 11/11.


They Couldn't have done it without Them:

The Cenotaph on London’s, Whitehall is the memorial designated the United Kingdom's official national war memorial. Its origin was a temporary wooden structure erected for a peace parade following the end of the First World War, and after an outpouring of national sentiment it was replaced in 1920 by a permanent structure.
In the years following 1919, the Cenotaph has displayed the Red Ensign of the British Mercantile Marine on one side and a Union Flag, together with the Ensign’s of the Armed Forces. The flags displayed as of 2007 represent the Royal Military forces authorised by a sovereign state and the Merchant Navy.
The Red Ensign representing the fallen of the merchant navy and the fishing fleet has been there every day as were the men of the “Forgotten Service”. Despite its wartime contributions, it was not until 2000 that the Merchant Navy was allowed to join the official march past the Cenotaph, although the Mercantile Marine / Merchant Navy’s Red Ensign had been flown on the Whitehall monument since 1919.
Although, London hosts the Country’s main 11/11 tributes and remembrance, virtually every city, town and village conducts local services the length and breadth of the country.
Although many sailed from Barry Docks, especially during conflicts, many never to return. All were not only from the town but, from throughout the Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales, Wales itself and indeed from all over Great Britain and Southern Ireland. Many did settle locally and families remember the fallen.
Barry has been noted amongst other things as being a former Merchant Navy Town, our historic port once described as the “Gateway to the World". During conflict, together with the other South Wales ports, the part that Barry and her docks, built mainly for coal, was vital and its proportion of fatalities per head of population in comparison to other similar sized ports would become the highest in Britain.
In wartime, Britain depended on civilian cargo ships to import food and raw materials, as well as to transport soldiers overseas, and keep them supplied. The title 'Merchant Navy' was granted by King George V after the First World War to recognise the contribution made by merchant sailors.
In 1928 George V made Edward, Prince of Wales "Master of the Merchant Navy and Fishing Fleets"; a title he retained after his accession in January 1936 and relinquished at his abdication in December 1936. Since Edward VIII the title has automatically been held by the sovereigns George VI and Elizabeth II. When the UK entered the Second World War in September 1939 George VI issued this message:
In these anxious days I would like to express to all Officers and Men and in The British Merchant Navy and The British Fishing Fleets my confidence in their unfailing determination to play their vital part in defence. To each one I would say: Yours is a task no less essential to my people's experience than that allotted to the Navy, Army and Air Force. Upon you the Nation depends for much of its foodstuffs and raw materials and for the transport of its troops overseas. You have a long and glorious history, and I am proud to bear the title "Master of the Merchant Navy and Fishing Fleets". I know that you will carry out your duties with resolution and with fortitude, and that high chivalrous traditions of your calling are safe in your hands. God keep you and prosper you in your great task.
King George V, in recognition of the contribution made to the British war effort by merchant ships, granted the title of ‘Merchant Navy’ to non-military sailors. Despite sharing the word ‘Navy’ in their titles, the difference between the Royal and Merchant Navies was that sailors in the latter were classed as civilians.
After the outbreak of war, Germany declared that every vessel of the British mercantile marine was to be regarded as a warship, meaning that the sailors of the Merchant Navy faced tremendous risks. Tragically, 30,248 merchant seamen lost their lives during World War Two, a death rate proportionally higher than in any of the armed forces.
In July 1941 Winston Churchill said, "The Merchant Navy, with Allied comrades, night and day, in weather fair or foul, faces not only the ordinary perils on the sea, but the sudden assaults of war from beneath the waters or from the sky."
“But for the Merchant Navy who bring us the food and munitions of war, Britain would be in a perilous state and ...the Army, Navy, and Air Force could not operate." Winston Churchill, April 1941.
The name "Battle of the Atlantic" was coined by Winston Churchill in February 1941. The outcome of the battle was a strategic victory for the Allies—the German blockade failed—but at great cost: 3,500 merchant ships and 175 warships were sunk for the loss of 783 U-boats.
On 30 October 1945 the Houses of Parliament unanimously carried the following resolution expressing gratitude to the Merchant Navy on the victorious end of the war : "That the thanks of this House be accorded to the officers and men of the Merchant Navy for the steadfastness with which they maintained our stocks of food and materials; for their services in transporting men and munitions to all battles over all the seas, and for the gallantry with which, through a civilian service, they met and fought the constant attacks of the enemy."
The Right Honourable Alfred Barnes, Minister of War Transport said: "The Merchant Seaman never faltered. To him we owe our preservation and our very lives."
Following many years of lobbying to bring about official recognition of the sacrifices made by merchant seafarers in two world wars and since, Merchant Navy Day became an official day of remembrance on 3 September 2000. In honour of the sacrifices made in the two World Wars, the Merchant Navy also lays wreaths of remembrance alongside the armed forces in the annual Remembrance Day service and service’s on 11 November.

[Zoe Kenyon]

Wow! That's amazing - thanks so much for sharing the pics. I would love to see the DVD - maybe one day a copy could be made and sent to the Russian Arctic Convoy Museum at Loch Ewe in Scotland? They are trying to gather all things to do with those particular convoys. That must have been an extremely emotional time for Bob. The Russians seem to have made a big effort to commemorate the men who kept them supplied on those convoys. Sadly the UK is still playing catch-up... and there are so many more convoys and escapades that the MN has been a part of - and still is!

I really cannot understand why there is so little known or understood about the MN by the general public (including me, once upon a time!). I've been asked why I think that is by so many people - including my publisher and people in PR - because once people learn about what the MN do / have done, they are astonished - but WHY is it that it's not better known - or taught in schools? I wondered if it's something to do with there not being a 'central body' (as opposed to the Royal Navy, or the Army, or whatever?) who are the main point of contact / information? Do any of you have any ideas??

Vanessa / (Zoe)

I have a DVD of the Russian Convoys made by the Russians, Convoy PQ17 is in it, it was given to me by a friend who has since died, Bob Fairley, The Russians took several Veterans to St, Petersburg and then on to Murmansk and then took them out into the Berents Sea and to the site of their sunken ships, where they could cast a wreath into the sea, they even had under water sonar cameras which gave them a picture of their old ships. Then they had a parade through the city of Murmansk ,
I took a couple of photos of Bob from the DVD, on that trip where they were feted as Heroes, Bob was a very small man but a Very Big Hero.
Cheers
Brian

- - - Updated - - -

- - - Updated - - -

Great piece - I hope it was published?? I didn't know that about Barry - still so much to learn!
V.

[Keith at Tregenna]

Barry and her docks have often been called a former Merchant Navy town.

At the end of the Second World War a "Victory Parade" for servicemen was organised by the council in Barry and sponsored by the Mayor. Objections were received from a number of councillors because Merchant Seamen were going to be included in the Parade. These councillors stated that the Merchant Navy were not entitled to march, as the parade was for personnel from the three services, Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force only. A greater insult to the people of Barry could not have been made, most families having lost a member, a relation, or a near neighbour at sea during the war. These men, some as young as 15, and others as old as 68, were unsung heroes, and only through their efforts and sacrifice was Britain fed and armed, to enable it to keep fighting. Most Barry servicemen had relatives or friends who had served in the Merchant Navy, and refused to march unless the Merchant Navy were included. It was a situation reminiscent of the Luton Riots*, and if the parade went ahead without these men the same action might take place. The council backed down and quickly took another vote and included the Merchant Navy in the parade. Tom. Clemett.

Quote Kinsale Mayor, Tomas O Brien : "Many a young Kinsale man left to go to Barry, which to them was the gateway to the world. For some it was the first time they had left their native town, and their families survived on the money they sent home. "Some settled in Barry and have families there today. Many others died in the wars while serving in both the Royal and Merchant Navies." This is Barry. Thursday 1 September 2005.

K.

[Keith at Tregenna]

No uniform or marching band,
simply heroes back on land.
A silver badge, not of tin,
said less than the tales within.

K.

[robpage]

I think that we have and always will be treated as the poor relations no I don't know this before my time but I believe you could either do 2 years national service or join the Merchant Navy so I will hope the people that join the Merchant Navy instead of the national service are recognised as doing such . I'm afraid this file at line that distinguishes reference and non reference I find Almost insulting to the people of the Merchant Navy who never went into the war zones not by their choice but by the trips and ships they were on and I think a lot of this Attitude by people in general where they support the Armed Forces they don't even regard the existence of the Merchant Navy and to be perfectly honest as much as I know that people here with good Hearts and very good intentions will do their best to rectify that I honestly think it's 20 years too late

[Keith at Tregenna]

National Service as peacetime conscription was formulated by the National Service Act 1948. From 1 January 1949, healthy males 17 to 21 years old were expected to serve in the armed forces for 18 months, and remain on the reserve list for four years. They could be recalled to their units for up to 20 days for no more than three occasions during these four years. Men were exempt from National Service if they worked in one of the three "essential services": coal mining, farming and the merchant navy for a period of eight years. If they quit early, they were subject to being called up. Exemption continued for conscientious objectors, with the same tribunal system and categories.

In November 1960 the last men entered service, as call-ups formally ended on 31 December 1960.

In all reality many did sign up for the Merchant Navy to prevent call up to the Armed Forces.

K.

[happy daze john in oz]

Avoiding conscription was for many an important issue, not wanting to be part of an army at a time when war had not long gone but the threat still remained.

Join up and there was the risk of being sent to a theatre of war.

At that time in UK being caught in a homosexual relationship was also an offence, punishable by the courts.
It was for this reason I was once informed that so many gay men joined the MN.
Safe there from prosecution and free to mix with those of their own kind.