Press Release Response. 1

[Keith at Tregenna]

Dear Keith

Your e-mail has been forwarded to my office and am delighted to see you being so pro-active. You are quite right in believing that we have never achieved the coverage of the Commemorative service that it truly deserves.

Please find attached a copy of our National Press Release which goes out to all our press and media contacts. We also give advance notice to the monthly shipping magazines which also includes all major events throughout the year.

This will be the second year of our expanding the programme in Trinity Gardens to include the "Sea of Red Ensigns". We feel this has also greatly enhanced public awareness and raised the profile of the whole of the day's events.

We are also delighted that the Sailors Society promote this event to all their contacts and of course we always get a mention in the Ship's Telegraph.

Would appreciate you telling me a little bit more about yourself and how you have become so active in wanting to promote this very special event. Would welcome you working with us on a much closer basis in the future.

Kind Regards

John

Capt JMR Sail MNI
National Chairman
Merchant Navy Association
Ensigh House
High Street
Osbournby
SLEAFORD

Tel: [phone]

[MN PR FOR REMEMBRANCE DAY]

Fax:[phone]

12 August 2008

PRESS RELEASE - immediate

THE MERCHANT NAVY DAY COMMEMORATIVE SERVICE AND REUNION

Sunday 7th September 2008 in Trinity Gardens at Tower Hill at 1100 hrs.

Commodore R Thornton MDA RFA is this year’s Parade President and our Principal Guest is Admiral The Lord West of Spithead GCB DSC with many guests from Diplomatic Services, Shipping Companies, Associations and supporters.

This annual international event supports the growing recognition achieved for our previously unacknowledged and often forgotten seafarers. Their resolve, dedication and commitment helped to maintain HM Armed Forces across the globe and contributed greatly to the freedoms we all now enjoy.

This year, on the 90th Anniversary of the end of WWI, we especially remember the 17,000 merchant seafarers who lost their lives in that war. On day one of that War 60 merchant ships were arrested in Hamburg and all those merchant seafarers were sent to Concentration camps.

On Sunday February 28th 1915 the 500grt collier, SS Thordis, which had just been transferred over from the Norwegian flag three days earlier, was steaming down the Channel when the periscope of a U-boat was sighted off the Starboard side of the ship. Captain Bell proceeded to stop his ship and observe the U-boats movements which slowly proceeded across the bows of the Thordis to a position about 30 to 40 yards away on her Port side. Suddenly the U-boat altered course and then at a distance of some 700 yards the track of a torpedo was seen. When it had almost reached the vessel, a wave suddenly lifted her stern clear, and the torpedo passed harmlessly underneath.

Captain Bell then ordered his ship to immediately close in on the U-boats position. There followed a deafening crash, a scrapping noise, and the submarine was believed to have been sunk. Captain Bell made for Weymouth with a large gaping hole just above the ship’s water line. Later German wireless reports indicated that the U-boat, although seriously damaged, did not sink and returned safely to port.

For his actions Captain Bell from Redcar received the DSC, as well as an engraved gold watch and was given a commission as Lieutenant in the Royal Naval Reserve. A Money Prize of £660.00 was also distributed among the Captain and crew of the Thordis.

This year, as always, we will remember them all.

Capt J M R Sail

National Chairman, Merchant Navy Association

[Tower Hill 2008]

WOULD SOMEONE FROM THE NATIONAL PRESS AND / OR MEDIA PLEASE TELL US WHAT WE HAVE TO DO TO TO GET SOME COVERAGE FOR THE ANNUAL MN REMEMBRANCE SERVICE, IF NOT MERCHANT NAVY DAY ITSELF, WE HAVE ATTEMPTED NOW FOR TWO YEARS TO GAIN SOME RECOGNITION FOR THOSE THAT DIED TO SAVE US ALL.

IF ONE OF OUR NATIONAL'S REPORTED ON THE EVENTS WE WOULD FEEL IT'S ALL BEEN WORTHWHILE, (199 E.MAILS AND NOT ONE REPLY OR MENTION). I HAVE NOT BEEN HOME FOR TO LONG SINCE ATTENDING TOWER HILL:

ONE REPORT IN THE NATIONAL PRESS OR A MENTTION IN A NEWS PROGRAMME IS NOT TO MUCH TO ASK SURELY. WELL THERES ALWAYS TOMMOROW, BUT I HOLD LITTLE FAITH. Thanks to the Regionals that support more local events. We both mourn and remember our losses and loved ones. These brave men that died to save us all.

All they asked was that they be remembered - mayb'e like us they sought a simple tribute in exchange for life, they asked not to become the Forgotten Service and we attempt to remember as all should " LEST WE FORGET "

[KG]

I / WE ECHO YOUR REPLY

[Southampton]

www.dailyecho.co.uk/debusiness/shippingnews/3645831.Every_flag_is_for_a_hero/

[KG]

Memorial event for merchant seamen

Sep 6 2009

Hundreds of people have attended a memorial service in honour of members of the Merchant Navy who lost their lives at sea.
The Queen and the Prime Minister both sent tributes to the service which was held at the Tower Hill Memorial in Trinity Gardens, London.

In his message, Gordon Brown praised the "the distinguished service by merchant seafarers over the years in support of military operations" and said attending veterans should be proud of their contribution.

Lord West, a former First Sea Lord and current Under-Secretary for Security and Counter-terrorism, was guest of honour at the event.

He said: "The public today does not comprehend the debt it owes to those of the Merchant Marine.

"In the Second World War some 30,000 merchant seamen were lost with 5,140 ships.

"Today some 34,000 UK seafarers continue to ensure our wealth and survival transporting over 95% of our trade.

"As with their forefathers, they come from a proud tradition as can be seen by the names on the roll of honour at the memorial at Tower Hill."

www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/uk-and-world-news/2009/09/06/memorial-event-for-merchant-seamen-84229-24620618/