Barry former Merchant Navy town.

[Administrator]

Barry and her docks have often been called a former Merchant Navy town.

At the end of the Second World War a "Victory Parade" for servicemen was organised by the council in Barry and sponsored by the Mayor. Objections were received from a number of councillors because Merchant Seamen were going to be included in the Parade. These councillors stated that the Merchant Navy were not entitled to march, as the parade was for personnel from the three services, Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force only. A greater insult to the people of Barry could not have been made, most families having lost a member, a relation, or a near neighbour at sea during the war. These men, some as young as 15, and others as old as 68, were unsung heroes, and only through their efforts and sacrifice was Britain fed and armed, to enable it to keep fighting. Most Barry servicemen had relatives or friends who had served in the Merchant Navy, and refused to march unless the Merchant Navy were included. It was a situation reminiscent of the Luton Riots*, and if the parade went ahead without these men the same action might take place. The council backed down and quickly took another vote and included the Merchant Navy in the parade.

Tom. Clemett.

[Administrator]

When conscription for the armed forces was introduced during the First World War, the authorities wondered why there were so few conscripts called up in the town of Barry, South Wales. After investigation, it was realised that so many Barry men had volunteered for the forces at the outbreak of hostilities that there were very few left to conscript. The number of men that enlisted was over 15,000 and of these, 700 made the supreme sacrifice.
Tom Clemett’s History of Barry.