Post by Administrator on Sept 4, 2020 2:05:59 GMT
Western Approaches HQ - The Battle of the Atlantic Experience
Merchant Navy Day - 3rd September
Today we commemorate the services and sacrifices of the Merchant Navy during the First and Second World Wars.
Between the wars, Britain had the largest merchant fleet in the world and by 1939, one third of all merchant ships were British, with over 200,00 sailors serving aboard them. Although the majority of sailors were British, a large number came from all parts of the Empire, including India, Hong Kong and west Africa. A 1938 survey showed that 68% of sailors were from Great Britain, 27% were from India or China and 5% were Arabs, Indians, Chinese, West Africans or West Indians living in Britain.
Women also served aboard many of these ships.
The Registrar General of Shipping & Seamen calculated that during the course of the war up to 185,000 men and women served in the Merchant Navy.Following the fall of Europe in 1940, many sailors from occupied countries joined the Merchant Navy fleet, including large numbers from Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands and Poland.
The merchant navy kept Britain supplied with the raw materials, weapons, ammunition, fuel, food and more that it needed to maintain the fight against the Axis powers.
In the course of the war, the Merchant Navy sustained a greater casualty rate than almost every other branch of the armed forces with over 36,000 sailors losing their lives, and over 4,700 wounded.
It is no understatement to say that without their efforts and sacrifices the war could not have been won.
Merchant Navy Day - 3rd September
Today we commemorate the services and sacrifices of the Merchant Navy during the First and Second World Wars.
Between the wars, Britain had the largest merchant fleet in the world and by 1939, one third of all merchant ships were British, with over 200,00 sailors serving aboard them. Although the majority of sailors were British, a large number came from all parts of the Empire, including India, Hong Kong and west Africa. A 1938 survey showed that 68% of sailors were from Great Britain, 27% were from India or China and 5% were Arabs, Indians, Chinese, West Africans or West Indians living in Britain.
Women also served aboard many of these ships.
The Registrar General of Shipping & Seamen calculated that during the course of the war up to 185,000 men and women served in the Merchant Navy.Following the fall of Europe in 1940, many sailors from occupied countries joined the Merchant Navy fleet, including large numbers from Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands and Poland.
The merchant navy kept Britain supplied with the raw materials, weapons, ammunition, fuel, food and more that it needed to maintain the fight against the Axis powers.
In the course of the war, the Merchant Navy sustained a greater casualty rate than almost every other branch of the armed forces with over 36,000 sailors losing their lives, and over 4,700 wounded.
It is no understatement to say that without their efforts and sacrifices the war could not have been won.