Post by Admin on Sept 4, 2022 23:55:44 GMT
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 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”.
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 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”.