A SPECIAL commemoration was held by Wychavon District Council yesterday (Monday) to mark Merchant Navy Day.
The Red Ensign flag was raised at the Civic Centre in Pershore to remember all the Merchant Navy sailors from Great Britain’s proud naval past and also to show support for today’s British seafarers.
Wychavon chairman, Coun Tony Rowley, gave a short reading of thanks from HRH The Earl of Wessex, and Chaplain Rev Claire Lording led the prayers, before the recognised flag of the British Merchant Navy was raised.
It was also raised in hundreds of villages, towns and cities across the UK to show support for the Merchant Navy and to help highlight the work Seafarers UK, the charity which supports the maritime community.
Merchant Navy Day was established in 2000 by the Government and is held on September 3 to mark the anniversary of the start of the Second World War when the merchant ship SS Athenia was torpedoed and sunk, with the loss of 128 passengers and crew.
In the First and Second World Wars, the merchant fleets suffered heavy losses from German U-boat attacks.
The tonnage lost to U-boats in the First World War was nearly 8 million, and around 14,661 merchant seafarers were killed.
In the Second World War, German U-boats sank 2,828 Allied ships, amounting to nearly 14.7 million tonnes.
The UK alone suffered the loss of 11.7 million tonnes and 32,000 merchant seafarers were killed.
Coun Rowley said: “As an island nation we have always depended on merchant seafarers to defend our shores and import vital food and fuel.
“We’re pleased to be supporting the ‘Fly the Red Ensign for Merchant Navy Day’ in honour of the brave merchant seafarers who have made the ultimate sacrifice throughout our history, but particularly during the two World Wars.”
