Post by Administrator on Aug 13, 2024 23:08:22 GMT
Merchant Navy Day; September 3rd, EVERY YEAR.
Barry and district remembers the sacrifices of Merchant Navy seafarers. The annual Merchant Navy Day Service at Barry (representing the Vale of Glamorgan) will be held on Tuesday September 3, 2024, (Merchant Navy Day National, International and local.) Apart from MN Day itself ‘Flying the Red Ensign’ is an annual campaign, proudly run by The Seafarers’ Charity, to honour the brave men and women who kept the UK afloat during both World Wars. It also celebrates our dependence on modern-day merchant seafarers, who are responsible for more than 90% of the UK’s imports.
As well as in the World Wars, the Merchant Navy was also called upon during the Falklands War and provided 40 ships, including transports, tankers and other vessels. The merchant ship SS Atlantic Conveyor was used to ferry Harrier fighters and other aircraft to the South Atlantic. It was lost during the conflict after being struck by an Exocet missile. The ship’s captain, Ian North, and 11 other crew members died in the attack - the first loss of a British merchant navy ship to an armed attack since the Second World War.
Barry is noted - among other things - as being a former Merchant Navy Town, An Historic Port "once described by seamen as the Gateway to the World". Attending helps remember these people, and their greatly undervalued contribution to the conflicts: Barry (and district) suffered proportionately more than most other areas of similar size in the loss of those whose normal life was working on ships. Barry in its history has always played her part (In and out of conflict) and supports not only our armed forces but also remembers all those that left Barry Docks, local or from other parts and never returned. Many recall the numbers of casualties the Merchant Navy suffered during conflicts and locally from Barry, the Vale of Glamorgan and Wales, the many from or sailed from Barry Docks.
Merchant Navy Day is observed in the U.K. on September 3 each year. The day commemorates an event in 1939 during World War II when the first U.K. merchant ship, “SS Athenia,” was torpedoed and sunk by Germany with a loss of over 120 passengers and crew. Merchant Navy Day raises public awareness of the country’s ongoing dependence on merchant seafarers. A Merchant Navy Day Commemorative Service will be taking place at the Tower Hill Memorial, London with a band-led parade, service and wreath laying on September 8, 2024. Hosted by the Merchant Navy Association. Dates vary slightly for Commemoration Services to enable veterans and those that mourn lost family, relatives and lost loved ones to attend other tributes.
The Merchant Navy Association (Wales) Barry branch welcome all that may attend, all associated bodies, clergy and both Barrian’s and visitors. All are welcome. The local Merchant Navy Monument is situated in front of the Vale of Glamorgan Council building.
Barry and district remembers the sacrifices of Merchant Navy seafarers. The annual Merchant Navy Day Service at Barry (representing the Vale of Glamorgan) will be held on Tuesday September 3, 2024, (Merchant Navy Day National, International and local.) Apart from MN Day itself ‘Flying the Red Ensign’ is an annual campaign, proudly run by The Seafarers’ Charity, to honour the brave men and women who kept the UK afloat during both World Wars. It also celebrates our dependence on modern-day merchant seafarers, who are responsible for more than 90% of the UK’s imports.
As well as in the World Wars, the Merchant Navy was also called upon during the Falklands War and provided 40 ships, including transports, tankers and other vessels. The merchant ship SS Atlantic Conveyor was used to ferry Harrier fighters and other aircraft to the South Atlantic. It was lost during the conflict after being struck by an Exocet missile. The ship’s captain, Ian North, and 11 other crew members died in the attack - the first loss of a British merchant navy ship to an armed attack since the Second World War.
Barry is noted - among other things - as being a former Merchant Navy Town, An Historic Port "once described by seamen as the Gateway to the World". Attending helps remember these people, and their greatly undervalued contribution to the conflicts: Barry (and district) suffered proportionately more than most other areas of similar size in the loss of those whose normal life was working on ships. Barry in its history has always played her part (In and out of conflict) and supports not only our armed forces but also remembers all those that left Barry Docks, local or from other parts and never returned. Many recall the numbers of casualties the Merchant Navy suffered during conflicts and locally from Barry, the Vale of Glamorgan and Wales, the many from or sailed from Barry Docks.
Merchant Navy Day is observed in the U.K. on September 3 each year. The day commemorates an event in 1939 during World War II when the first U.K. merchant ship, “SS Athenia,” was torpedoed and sunk by Germany with a loss of over 120 passengers and crew. Merchant Navy Day raises public awareness of the country’s ongoing dependence on merchant seafarers. A Merchant Navy Day Commemorative Service will be taking place at the Tower Hill Memorial, London with a band-led parade, service and wreath laying on September 8, 2024. Hosted by the Merchant Navy Association. Dates vary slightly for Commemoration Services to enable veterans and those that mourn lost family, relatives and lost loved ones to attend other tributes.
The Merchant Navy Association (Wales) Barry branch welcome all that may attend, all associated bodies, clergy and both Barrian’s and visitors. All are welcome. The local Merchant Navy Monument is situated in front of the Vale of Glamorgan Council building.