Big Remembrance Day

[Brian Probetts (Site Admin)]

The Sailor’s Society and CWGC are to hold a “BIG REMEMBRANCE” on the 23rd of September in Trinity Gardens.
Tower Hill, London.

Please Click this link ......
http://merchant-navy.net/TH_Memorial.html

[Keith at Tregenna]

Have further liaised with MNA National and MNA (Wales) I have been informed that MNA (Wales) have further informed the National Assembly for Wales and Cardiff County Council and passed it on to our neighbours in Swansea and they have informed the powers that be in their area.

K.

[Keith at Tregenna]

CWGC LINK:

http://www.cwgc.org/news.asp?newsid=183&view=yes

[Keith at Tregenna]

TOWER HILL

Behind each name a story lies

A seaman lost, a hero dies,

Duty wrought across the waves

A tale unheard in ocean graves.

J.E.

I really cannot thank Captain Joe Earl enough for this tribute.

[Keith at Tregenna]

All 35,675 names of those Seafarers whose names are recorded on all three Memorials in Trinity Gardens will be read aloud to mark World Maritime Day a finer tribute to our Merchant Navy Relatives could not be asked for apart from a mention in all News Media, I have done my best to inform all possible and there is much more on the web now than a few days ago, I just hope that more will occur.

The readings begin soon after mid night tonight. The final names will be read, as many died in darkness, whilst the world slept.

Please, do all you can to promote the event as widely as may be possible, it is hoped that publically reading the names of loved ones will provide some comfort to those who will welcome the remembrance of a loved one or ship mate.

TOWER HILL

Behind each name a story lies

A seaman lost, a hero dies,

Duty wrought across the waves

A tale unheard in ocean graves.

J.E.

Thank you all Keith.

[Keith at Tregenna]

As the 24th hour of World Maritime Day approaches, fifty minutes left as I type and the remaining names being read in darkness as many died in darkness, whilst the world slept. It was hoped that publically reading the names of loved ones would provide some comfort to those who will welcome the remembrance of a loved one or ship mate. I have attempted to notify as many people as possible.

I have heard little thus far from our Press and Media, although while talking to one relative today on the telephone she did mention that she had heard something about it on the radio. Touch wood for some mention in our Daily News tommorrow?

I did not personally go to Tower Hill today, but am pleased that I knew that the readings that began soon after mid night last night paid tribute to all 35,675 names of those Seafarers whose names are recorded on all three Memorials in Trinity Gardens.

I hope that many have got to know and were able to spare a thought and many more may still be advised of a "Big Rembrance" for our Merchant Men. Let those who come after see to it that his name be not forgotten".

K.

[Don Harris]

I went to Tower Hill Thursday morning - the weather was shocking - pouring with rain but the Readers from
The Sailors Society braved it all and did a splendid job - we (three of us 'oldies') were there in support and during the couple of hours we spent perhaps a half- dozen public visited the Gardens but the weather was far from inviting. All praise to the Society - none to the Media/BBC who yet again ignored the MN!

[Keith at Tregenna]

It was not possible for me to attend personaly on the day, as soon as I heard of the event, I sought more information and was suprised that few knew. My determination to find out more about what I see as a mamoth task and the greatest respect led to communication with David Potterton (Revd), himself at the time on the other side of the world.

David is the Principal Chaplain, Sailors' Society.

Part of his reply was: "Many thanks for your email which I received tonight on Reunion Island on the Indian Ocean where I am spending a few days with Sailors' Society staff".

"I am thrilled that news of the event seems to have not suprisingly touched the hearts of those who have heard about it".

"Please do all you can to promote the event as widely as possible. We hope that publically reading the names of loved ones will provide some comfort to those who will welcome the remembrance of a loved one or ship mate".

I have attempted to do as requested and gave a hundred percent effort in passing on the info and trying to let as many know as possible, especially friends, family, loved ones etc. I delivered much to the National Press and Media bodies without a real curtesy reply.

I am failing to use some of the chosen words that are in my thoughts, instead aim to keep to a respectable approach for now and for future events and hope. I will think of new ways to impress upon, if only a few reporters that may care.

I have nothing but praise for both some International and much local / regional media that do give some good coverage of some events. I do believe in all remembrance, but also in fair play.

http://www.merchant-navy.net/forum/s...ead.php?t=7965

I also thank those that did manage to attend Tower Hill on this Big Remembrance and memorable day and the MN presence. I only wish that better notice and an MN liason could not have occurred, as much more could have been achieved?

At the end of the day, I do hope that those that did not know will be pleased to find that all had occurred and the many remembered in such a special way. THOSE THAT WE ACHIEVED TO INFORM: I am certain would have shared a moment in thought if not prayer etc.

One thought was that a recording would have proved so welcome, for the charity at a reasonable cost this could have been sold in parts that some could purchase the parts personal to them and others possibly all. Each with the opening and closing statements etc. Would possibly have been a bigger remembrance of a Big Remembrance?

Revd David Potterton did answer the thought of this in his correspondence to me as follows:

"No recording will be made as it is impossible to engineer a recording of such length. However, words spoken at the beginning and end wil be passed to the press for publication. An article will be written after the event giving a full account of the 24 hours. I hope this wil be cirulated in the MNA Magazine and others".

RE: However, words spoken at the beginning and end will be passed to the press for publication, I have faith but not in the press at the moment and have not seen any evidence personally of this occurring.

I will contact National and attempt to ensure this occurs in the MNA Magazine.

All thanks to David Potterton (Revd), his team, the Sailors' Society and CWGC for all they did and achieved.

As said I did not personally go to Tower Hill on the day, but am pleased that I knew that the readings paid tribute to all 35,675 names of those Seafarers whose names are recorded on all three Memorials in Trinity Gardens.

"LEST WE FORGET"

K

[DeepSea]

I would of liked to have attended the reading myself and participated in the day, but due to me visiting on 5th September, I could not afford another journey from the North-East.

There are still a number of names missing from Tower Hill, which I have been trying to have accepted by the CWGC and added to the memorial. This is a long and ongoing project. I would like to share just one of the names missing, I have so far spent two years without success in having him commemorated.

Although I have detailed this event before, I would like to raise the story once again, as I am now in possession of further details.

During WWII when and if possible it was known for a U-boat Commander to take the Captain of the sunken ship PoW, or the most senior officer found. A number of these U-boats were then lost with all hands before returning home. Of the 9 recorded crew and 1 passenger lost in such circumstances, all those named below have received War Grave status under the CWGC remit and recorded accordingly on Tower Hill Memorial & (civilian register for the passenger lost) with the exception of Captain Angus MacLennan from the SS ALOE.

ALOE sunk by U-182: Master Angus MacLennan (Non Commemorated)
BARON DECHMONT sunk by U-507: Master Donald MacCallum (Panel 14)
EMPIRE DAY sunk by U-198: Chief Officer Robert Courteney Selfe ( Panel 40)
JOHN HOLT sunk by U-66: Master Cecil Gordon Hime and passenger Stanton Hanna Elliott (Panel 59)
MANAAR sunk by Leonardo da Vinci: Second Officer Robert Gray (Panel 67)
OAKBANK sunk by U-507: Master James Stewart and Apprentice Ian Hamish Innes-Sim (Panel 75)
ST. USK sunk by U-161: Master George Henry Moss (Panel 91)
YORKWOOD sunk by U-507: Master Frank Herbert Fenn (Panel 120)

Angus MacLennan eldest of five children, son of Norman MacLennan and Mary Graham., born 12th April 1889 on the island of Fladda, a smaller island off the island of Raasay. Married a Scottish girl (a Miss MacKenzie). Killed 16th May 1943. Age 54.

Records from The National Archives in BT373/7 state: "According to the ships registry Captain MacLennan was appointed Master of the ALOE 15th June 1942 at Durban. No report of him being superseded has been seen and it is therefore presumed that he was still the Master at the time the ship was lost." (dated 18/4/44)

Cargo ship ALOE, 5,047grt, (South African Railways & Harbour Admin.) had been sailing independently from Bunbury, Western Australia to Durban with a cargo of wheat, timber, lead and bags of mail. On the 5th April 1943, 420 miles South-East of Durban the ALOE was intercepted by U-182 on her first active patrol, commanded by Kapitänleutnant Asmus Nicolai Clausen , and sunk by torpedo in position 32' 37S 37' 50E. After safely abandoning ship without loss of life, U-182 surfaced and approached the lifeboats and took Captain MacLennan onboard as a prisoner. After providing food and other means in order to survive for the remaining crew members, U-182 left the scene. The 46 survivors were eventually picked up by the American liberty ship Alexander Ramsey and landed at Cape Town.

On the 10th April, Kapitänleutnant Clausen sent a radio message to the U-boat command (Bdu) informing them of the sinking of the ALOE and that the ships Master was onboard his U-boat. The final radio signal sent from U-182 on the 1st May 1943 stated they had sunk a Greek merchant ship named Adelfotis and this is the last anything was heard from the U-boat, her 61 crew and Captain MacLennan. The Germans recorded the U-boat as officially missing 15th May 1943 and probable cause of loss by US aircraft. It turns out U-182 was actually sunk the 16th May 1943 North-West of Madeira in position 33' 55N, 20' 35W, by depth charges from the American destroyer USS Mackenzie, which had been part of the escort group for the Algiers bound Convoy UGS-8.

I have recently come into possession of a letter written by a survivor from the Aloe, an AB named Gordon Belton, who details in depth the sinking of the ship and the removal of Captain MacLennan from his lifeboat and who was last seen sitting beside the conning tower of U-182 being photographed by his captors.

Captain MacLennan was a career seamen, who had served as a Third Mate during WWI, shown in the attached photo by the chevrons indicating four years overseas service. The second photo is of his wedding in his Masters uniform. His wife sadly died during child birth.

Lest we forget

[Keith at Tregenna]

I WENT TO THE VIRTUAL ENDS OF THE EARTH: Once I found out about the Big Remembrance to let all know. I was also a little concerned that all may reflect on MN National etc, they seemed to know as much as I at the time. It is a shame those concerned did not liaise better with National but thats life.

I would like to ensure that such a huge remembrance is well recorded, yet see little still apart from what I helped to do. I will contact Tim etc to see if anything further has been released for MN publications etc. Thoughts are otherwise to re contact David Potterton for some form of words / report that I can pass on to at least those I reached prior with the message.

As ever can only do so much, promise my best:

The whole concept of the Big Remembrance touched every bone in my body and I attempted to let as many as pos know, even to e.mail David who was on Reunion Island on the Indian Ocean where he was spending a few days with Sailors' Society staff.

Can only ever do what we do, guess will always keep on doing it.

Thanks as ever for all that you do, esp on this post for adding to it and all info re: Captain Angus MacLennan etc.

You truly are a gem and a great asset to this site in particular, without the countless other good deeds elsewhere.

GOD BLESS..

Simply wished to again say thank you again for all.

Cheers K.