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Post by Administrator on Feb 20, 2015 14:02:08 GMT
Merchant Navy Day on 3rd September each year:
Merchant Navy Day Annual Service:
4 September 2016 12:30-2:30pm
3 September 2017 12:30-2:30pm
2 September 2018 12:30-2:30pm
The UK's principal Merchant Navy Day Service is held annually at the national Merchant Navy Memorial in Trinity Square Gardens on Tower Hill in London EC3 on the Sunday immediately following Merchant Navy Day, 3rd September each year. Ai multi-faith service, it is organised by the Merchant Navy Association. In the care of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, the three memorials there bear the 35,395 names of those merchant seamen from the First and Second World Wars together with the Falklands Campaign for whom there is no known grave but the sea.
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Post by Administrator on Feb 20, 2015 14:04:26 GMT
MERCHANT NAVY DAY - September 3rd
Take a little care this day and glance above the tiles,
Perchance to see a flagpole visible for miles,
Atop of it a red flag proudly whipping tight,
A Merchant Navy ensign flying there by right.
From important buildings as well as from the sea.
It’s flown to honour mariners and shipping history,
Sailing through the years, transporting all the freight,
Conserving of the lifelines keeping Britain great.
If you glance aloft and see with knowing eye,
A `duster` at the masthead when you’re passing by,
Please inform your offspring while going on to say,
A debt is owed to seamen under colours flown today.
Joe Earl
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Post by Administrator on Feb 17, 2016 18:25:18 GMT
Was there ever a breed of men ?
Was there ever a breed of men that answered a countries call?
that faced the foe again and again, with bravery above all?
No second thought, did what they ought, they face the mighty Hun,
often: sought or being caught, no chance of carrying a gun.
Was there ever a breed of men that would do it all again?
to keep the lifeline open though suffering loss and pain.
Was there ever a breed of men forgotten for their part?
Was there ever a breed of men, remembered with all heart?
Leaving family behind them, children and a wife,
they sailed the dangerous waters, that we now have a life.
Was there ever a breed of men, scared, but showed no fear?
Was there ever a breed of men, lost, no longer here?
Was there ever a breed of men the Nation should remember?
those: that fed and clothed and armed and paid tribute to in September.
The back bone of a country, they never failed to sail,
They help to save our children, till common sense prevailed.
Some of them were just boys, they sailed the seven seas,
left, behind were gifts and toys at home beneath Christmas trees.
Was there ever a breed of boys that took on so much strife?
Children of the Mercantile Marine, gave all that we have a life.
Even women and young ones suffered in the fray,
fortunate - that survivors ensure we are here today.
Was there ever a breed of blokes that had ever done so much,
A certain kind of seaman that ensured a future and such.
Was there ever a breed of men that sailed under the red jack?
A mighty ensign that was there’s all ways through out the flak.
Was there ever a breed of men that sailed under much attack?
Many valiant heroes no thought of turning back.
Important to not forget that some were not so young,
Was there ever a breed of chaps, life was still not done.
Deemed to old to go to war and fight, but not to go to sea,
Thanking all the Grand Dads, that helped keep the country free.
In tribute to the many and all they simply asked,
please - simply remember them and the job they tasked.
The British Merchant Navy, heroes everyone,
often: sought or being caught, not armed to fight the Hun.
I end my tale as I should do, I could much carry on,
Was there ever a breed of men, many now long gone?
Would you remember the very Merchant Man?
That is the subject of this tale and why it first began.
KG
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