Merchant Navy Day 2019

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Merchant Navy Day 2019

Since 2000, Merchant Navy Day on 3rd September has honoured the brave men and women who kept our 'island nation' afloat during both World Wars, and celebrated our dependence on modern day merchant seafarers LINKwho are responsible for 95% of the UK's imports, including half the food we eat, plenty of the fuel we burn and virtually all the products and goods we take for granted!

For the fifth year running, Seafarers UK is campaigning for the Red Ensign - the UK Merchant Navy's official flag - to be flown on 3rd September on civic buildings and landmark flagpoles across the UK. Parish, community, town, city, district and borough councils are all invited to take part, along with higher-tier local authorities and governments.

There are many locations where the Red Ensign can be freely flown ashore - civic centres, town halls, public libraries, village greens, churches, sports venues, historic buildings, tourist attractions, ports, etc.

This year hundreds of local flag-hoisting ceremonies will be organised, involving VIPs, civic dignitaries, Merchant Navy veterans, naval cadets, etc. A message of support from HRH The Earl of Wessex is available to be read out at participating locations 'to remember the sacrifices, salute the courage and support the future of the often unsung personnel of our Merchant Navy.'

That Royal request is included in a new 'Fly the Red Ensign for Merchant Navy Day' Guide - click here to download.

In 2019 our target is for the Red Ensign to be flown ashore at more than one thousand locations across the UK. As Merchant Navy Day on 3rd September falls on a Tuesday, we are encouraging participants to fly the flag for the whole week! Flag-hoisting ceremonies can be organised for any date, including on the preceding weekend.

For further information please contact Nick Harvey, Campaigns Manager at Seafarers UK, email [e-mail], phone [phone].

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September 3 is a memorial day in Great Britain and Canada. This is Merchant Navy Day (in GB) or Merchant Navy Remembrance Day (in Canada).

The Merchant Navy of Great Britain has played a significant role in the British history. It suffered severe losses from German U-boat attacks during World War I and II. Around 32,000 merchant seafarers were killed during two wars, but along with the Royal Navy the convoys successfully imported enough supplies to allow an Allied victory.

Canadian Merchant Navy was created in 1939 in a few hours after the country officially entered World War II. Although Canadian Merchant Navy was relatively young, it played a major role in the Battle for the Atlantic, bolstering up the British Merchant Navy, that suffered high losses.

Merchant Navy Day became an official remembrance day on September 3, 2000 in Great Britain. Before introduction of this day Merchant Navy veterans were remembered on the annual Remembrance Day. In 2001 Canada created Merchant Navy Remembrance Day that also designated September 3 to recognize the contribution and sacrifice of Canadian merchant seafarers to the victory in World War II.

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