Possible Press Release.

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MERCHANT NAVY DAY
September 3rd Every Year.

THE MERCHANT NAVY WAS THERE EVERY DAY.

In wartime, Britain depended on civilian cargo ships to import food and raw materials, as well as 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.
Britain’s merchant fleet was the largest in the world during both World Wars. In 1939 a third of the world’s merchant ships were British, and there were some 200,000 sailors.
Many 'British' Merchant Seamen came from parts of the British Empire, such as India, Hong Kong and West African countries. Women also sometimes served at sea in the Merchant Navy.
During both world wars, Germany operated a policy of 'unrestricted submarine warfare', or sinking merchant vessels on sight. By the end of WW1, more than 3,000 British flagged merchant and fishing vessels had been sunk and nearly 15,000 Merchant Seamen had died. During the Second World War, 4,700 British-flagged ships were sunk and more than 29,000 Merchant Seamen died. Since the Second World War, the British Merchant Navy has become steadily smaller, but has continued to help in wartime, notably during the Falklands War.
3 September marks Merchant Navy Day, when we honour the brave men and women who made many sacrifices to keep Britain alive during both World Wars, and appreciate the UK’s modern day seafarers who are responsible for transporting most of our everyday items, including such as food and fuel. In wartime, Britain depended on civilian cargo ships to import not only food and raw materials but, the munitions of war as well as 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.
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. On this day the Red Ensign, the official Merchant Navy flag, is flown across0 the UK.
Every year Seafarers UK promotes the Red Ensign, the UK Merchant Navy’s official flag, to be flown on 3rd September on civic buildings and landmark flagpoles. Parish, community, town, city, district and borough cou0ncils were all invited to take part, along with higher-tier local authorities and governments.
Seafarers’ Service September the 3rd, at Barry.
The Merchant Navy Association (Wales) Barry branch would like to announce that a Seafarers’ Service and flag raising will be held on Saturday September 3rd, this year. (11AM Service.)
The local service is open to all organisations and others. It is hoped that family members of serving members and former members of the Merchant Navy, relatives and friends of not only the MN but, the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, Royal Navy, RNLI, Coast Guard / Watch, 11th Barry Sea Scout Group and others will also attend.
The Service will be held at the Merchant Navy, Monument, Barry. In holding a Seafarers’ Service, we acknowledge the vital role played by both the RAF and RN in Convoy duties. The presence of all branch and organisations standards will be appreciated. The Church and all that have assisted are thanked in advance. 10 45 AM: Assemble: for the 11am Service.
A Merchant Navy Association (Wales) Barry branch wreath will be laid during the service at the Merchant Navy Monument, all other organisations are welcome to lay wreaths at this event. We hope that all will continue to support and assist us in helping us to ensure that we: “Remember Them”. The MN Monument in Barry, records and tributes all those lost from the Vale.

The Merchant Navy Association (Wales) Barry branch.

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They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
The members and friends of the local Merchant Navy Association branch would like to thank, our branch chaplain, the Rev Chris Seaton for the lovely service of thanks to our Merchant Navy and further appreciation to all that attended. On Merchant Navy Day, we remember the SS. Athenia, which on 3, September 1939 became the first UK ship to be sunk by Germany during the Second World War. The annual Merchant Navy Day service was held on Saturday, 3 September at the Merchant Navy Monument, Civic Offices, Barry.
Thoughts are always for our brave U.K. Merchant Navy Sailors - and to all those Merchantmen and women of all flags, who do a difficult and often times dangerous job which we all benefit from. The Merchant Navy deserves our thanks, because as an Island Nation we are dependant of them to feed and fuel us in our daily lives. During WWI, 15,000 merchant sailors were killed; in WWII, 29,000 Merchant sailors died, and in both conflicts, many, many more were maimed and traumatised. The MN were involved in the Falklands War also, we relied on the Merchant Navy to transport our troops to the battle ground, losing several ships and crew.
This year Nationally we also spare a thought to the brave merchant crews taking much needed grain out of war torn Ukraine through minefields and other dangers, to prevent a famine in the third world - which if left to happen will have knock on effects around the world on global food prices and availability. Today we remember those who served at sea in the Merchant Navy but remember further that very often the loss of a Merchant Seaman also was a loss to mothers and family members.
A special thank you mentioned in dispatches for our standard bearer, who proudly carries our branch’s Red Ensign (colloquially known as the ‘Red Duster’). Also present on the day were standards from the RAFA, RBL, Barry Sea cadets (TS Cossack), Scouts and HM Coast Guard.
The red ensign flag, was raised by Mr. Stuart Fraser MN. Readings were conducted by the Mayor of the Vale of Glamorgan and Mr J Norton, Chairman of the Barry MN Association, also Peter Rees Secretary and Mr. Stuart Fraser MN. Wreaths were laid by the Mayor of the Vale of Glamorgan, the council leader of the Vale of Glamorgan, Mr. Joe Norton and the Royal British Legion, Barry.
May 2023 sees the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic our former Merchant Navy town are planning future tributes and commemoration. “Lest We Forget”.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning. We will remember them.

The Merchant Navy Association (Wales) Barry branch.