Merchantmen all

[Keith at Tregenna]

To add to the tribute by Ian the below
is worth a look at re:
Poems About the Merchant Marine.

Poetry About Merchant Mariners

[Ian Adrian Millar]

Rodney" You are correct that the Merchant Marine suffered a higher percentage of casualties than the U.S. Marine Corps. By enlarge the U.S. public even today is pretty much ignorant when it comes to what the Merchant Marine is and what the crews of those ships accomplished. When the effort was being made to obtain veteran's status for these men and women who had served in WW II there were many detractors who fought long and hard to deny these men and women the title of veteran. Just as with every branch of service most who joined up had no intentions of making a career of it, they wanted to do their bit, win the war, and return to their peacetime avocations. The lists of the lost, wounded and maimed attest to the real price of the ultimate victory and like every branch of service the Merchant Marine did it's part.

Ian

[happy daze john in oz]

Rodney" You are correct that the Merchant Marine suffered a higher percentage of casualties than the U.S. Marine Corps. By enlarge the U.S. public even today is pretty much ignorant when it comes to what the Merchant Marine is and what the crews of those ships accomplished. When the effort was being made to obtain veteran's status for these men and women who had served in WW II there were many detractors who fought long and hard to deny these men and women the title of veteran. Just as with every branch of service most who joined up had no intentions of making a career of it, they wanted to do their bit, win the war, and return to their peacetime avocations. The lists of the lost, wounded and maimed attest to the real price of the ultimate victory and like every branch of service the Merchant Marine did it's part.

Ian

If figures are correct more British Merchant Seamen paid the ultimate price than RN and Air Force combined.

[Keith at Tregenna]

I believe Your risk of losing your life was greater as a Merchant Mariner than if you were a member of the British or American armed forces.

K.