September The Third - MERCHANT NAVY DAY

[Brian Probetts (Site Admin)]

SEPTEMBER THE THIRD
Merchant Navy Day.

Our Country celebrates centenaries and the cenotaph’s just cause,
We remember Airmen, and Soldiers from the wars,
The Navy and Civilians and Miners from the pit,
Royalty and Land Girls - all those that did their bit.

Now the Merchant Navy, has its special say,
Flying its Red Ensign on the Third September day,
From our public buildings in Britain and abroad,
So the population may look up and applaud.

Reminding everybody of the sacrifice they made,
Shipping vital cargoes in a mortal wartime trade,
Mostly sailing unarmed or with very poor defence,
Causalities and losses were appalling and immense.

Round the world they voyaged `cross oceans near and far,
Magnetic mines abundant on both sides of the bar,
Torpedoes launched from U boats, bombs aimed from the sky,
Salvoes fired from raiders, intent that ships would die.

Often in awful conditions, at work in numbing cold,
Through voracious seas of the Arctic with explosives in the hold,
Or the white heat of the tropics, steaming into hell,
Living on tons of petrol dreading the enemy’s shell.

Our lads ran the gauntlet braving marauder’s might,
Showing a stubborn Red Duster every day of the fight.
If they survived - they returned, not once but again and again,
Hence lifeblood brought to nations by indefatigable men.

On all the seas and rivers where British seamen go,
From the tropics to the edges, of where the icebergs grow,
You will see the ruddy bunting of bright or smoky red,
It’s our Merchant Navy Ensign flying overhead.

Cpt. Joe Earl

[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.

By Captain Joe Earl

[Keith at Tregenna]

MERCHANT NAVY DAY

I see the ensigns flying, my heart fills with pride,
I see our colours carried, with seamen by my side,
I remember ships and mariners - ( and the debt we owe)
Now resting in the oceans, fathoms deep below.

Joe Earl Aug. 2010

[happy daze john in oz]

I have been asked to give a talk, second time of doing so, on September 3rd on local community radio.
I was quite surprised last time at the number who recognized the Merchant Navy for what it was during the wars.

[Doc Vernon]

A very nice gesture once again for you to do that John
and with your ability to write such good Articles etc I am sure your Speech will do the Merchant Navy Proud!
What Radio Station is it possibly I may be able to get it on the day if know the exact time ?
Cheers

[Mike Hall]

Just a thought, Could it be recorded and put in the MEDIA/VIDEOS section.

[Keith at Tregenna]

They Bore the Brunt

They sailed the seas to bear the brunt,
They steamed the courses laid,
Ten thousand miles their battle front,
Unbacked and undismayed.
Fine seamen these of our great race,
From your seaport or town,
They risked their lives with danger faced
Until their ship went down.
Remember them - they held the line,
Won freedom on the way,
Remember them - their life was thine -
On merchant navy day.

J.Earl

[Keith at Tregenna]

MERCHANT NAVY DAY

September 3rd.


The scattered flowers on the waves

Marked our hardy seamen’s graves

Since those floating blooms were cast

The peril`s over now and past

Shall our gratitude just sleep

Resting still across the deep?

Have our garlands sailed astray?

No, not on merchant navy day!


Joe Earl

[Keith at Tregenna]

I have been asked to give a talk, second time of doing so, on September 3rd on local community radio.
I was quite surprised last time at the number who recognized the Merchant Navy for what it was during the wars.

RESPECT.

Great to see you promoting Merchant Navy Day and raising awareness this year, Good job John.

Hope all goes well and is appreciated by many seafarers' and the public in your audience.

Since just before 2000 MNA campaigns have certainly helped the awareness greatly, though
the work goes on all year, every year. Much of the thanks is to those that do.

All the best and keep up the good work, it would be great as was said in a previous post if your
piece can be recorded and somehow made available / linked to / via this site for all to hear.

The radio station should provide you with a copy and a whiz or two on site may work the oracle for here.

Regards,

Keith.


Merchant Navy Day, 3rd September.

EVERY YEAR.

MN PW0336_1_m.jpg

The Merchant Navy Was There Every Day.

mn day.jpg

.

[happy daze john in oz]

It is a very small local one, as to recording I will have to ask on that one.