“SILVER BADGE”

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A TRIBUTE

During the Second World War 30,248 British merchant seamen and women were killed, 4654 were considered missing, 4707 were wounded and 5720 became prisoners of war. 2524 ships were sunk and 912 damaged as a result of enemy action. 1359 were sunk by U-boats, 118 by surface raiders, 477 by enemy aircraft and 76 by E-boats. 291 were sunk by mines, 29 floundered from other causes and 89 were lost through other enemy action.

Unlike the other services the merchant service was at risk from the time the war was declared until the end of hostilities. In the late afternoon of 3rd September,1939, the day war was declared, the RMS Athenia was torpedoed off Ireland by U-30 (Kapitan Julius Lemp) and in the evening of 7th May, 1945 the SS Avondale Park was torpedoed by U-2336 ( Kapitan Emile Klusmeier) 90 minutes before the end of hostilities.

During the intervening 6 years personnel of the British Merchant Navy suffered untold horrors, many of which are far too horrible to imagine. Many were adrift in open boats and on life rafts, injured, freezing, starving with many miserably dying from thirst, hunger and injuries, their companions unable to offer any form of comfort or ease. In one instance a steward was miraculously rescued near to the coast of Brazil after being adrift on a raft for 133 days. During the convoys into Russia a great many ships were attacked by U-boats and enemy aircraft. If the crews of the sunk merchant ships were in the sea for more than 3 minutes they were doomed to perish in the freezing water.

In times of war the Merchant Navy is the forgotten service - taken for granted and largely ignored.

The men and women who served on our merchant ships gave everything and received nothing.

This page is a memorial to those who died and a tribute to those who still live with the horrors of war.



“SILVER BADGE”
By Dave Molyneux.
Secretary of the The Blue Funnel Association

A Personal Tribute to the Men and Young Boys Of The Merchant Navy in World War II.

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“Well, we did have a small Silver Badge”.



“We had a small “Silver Badge” - the letters said “MN”,
no uniform to pin it to, for we were Merchant Men.
So much pride in its Silver tone, a symbol of respect,
apart from our red ensign, had no real battle dress”.

The insignia of our profession clasping to our chest,
off in to the conflict, we sailed to do our best.
We helped to feed a Nation and ferry troops and arms,
backing up the forces, avoiding enemy harms?

The symbol of our fellowship, enhancing our lapels,
saved us from feathers, but not from threat of klaxon bells.
No shield was it to hide behind, no defence from the war,
many men with emblems on, adorn the Ocean floor.

Often shaped into a Sweetheart Brooch,
for a loved one back at home.
Created during hunted time, when the enemy approached,
a keepsake for a loved one, from our danger zone.

It was important to ensure, that your badge was worn,
especially, on home visit or anytime at Port.
Best to have your badge adorned, it would show to all,
of your important duty and of your war support.

Alongside our Captain, and all our fellow crew,
our graceful steel old lady and a duty we must do.
We sail with our ensign and our infamous entity,
remembering the many that are forever with the sea.

Noted being upside down, a badge was not quite wrong,
remembering a craft destroyed and long since gone.
No Work or not Wanted, also has been displayed,
although most often remembers that there is “No Known Grave”.

We had a pride in wearing that very simple adornment,
as much as our brothers in arms, and their military deportment.
We gave our all and expected little in return,
Just a little remembrance for those of us adjourned.

“Well, they do have a small Silver Badge”.


THE MERCHANT NAVY WAS THERE EVERY DAY