Merchant Navy Day 2008

[INFO AT TREGENNA]

3 September 2008

Merchant Navy Day – National

7 September

The Merchant Navy Day Commemorative Services And Re-union

Tower Hill, London

A band of HM Royal Marines will lead the parade of Merchant Navy Standards and Standards of other Associations, followed by serving and retired Merchant Seafarers with other Organisations, leaving Mark Lane (Great Tower Street) for Trinity Square Gardens at 12.30 hours. The Principal Guest, Admiral Lord West of Spithead GCB DSC, will take the salute upon arrival of the Parade in Trinity Square Gardens. The multi-faith Commemorative Service and wreath-laying will be held at the Merchant Navy Memorial.

This Annual service is held on the Sunday in September nearest to Merchant Navy Day, 3rd September, in memory of Merchant Seafarers who died in World Wars I and II and in conflicts up to the present day. After the service, a "Sea of Red Ensigns" will be placed in the lawn at the Sunken Garden, in memory of lost Merchant Seafarers.

Start Time: 12:30 hours

Venue: Merchant Navy Memorial, Trinity Square Gardens,
Tower Hill, London EC3N 4AA

Nearest Tube Station: Tower Hill

Nearest Rail Stations: Fenchurch Street and Tower Gateway (DLR)

Attendance Information: Everyone is invited to attend. Medals may be worn

Contact: TM Brant, National Secretary, Merchant Navy Association. Tel: [phone] or E:mail: [e-mail]

[MN]

The Tower Hill memorial for World War 1 was unveiled in 1928 to mark the service and sacrifice of the merchant Marine in WW1. In 1928 King George V created the title 'Master of the Merchant Navy and Fishing FLeets' and appointed the then Prince of Wales to that office.

This is how the title 'Merchant Navy' came into being.

[BISS]

BISS is now known as the Sailors' Society

News Headlines

Together We will Remember Them!

'Sea of Remembrance' 2008

Last year the Sailors’ Society planted 800 Red Ensign Flags for the Merchant Navy Day Service at Trinity Gardens. Each flag bore its own heart-warming message. Some remembered their loved ones lost during the war, others wanted to recognise our seafarers of today. The occasion was incredibly moving with cadets and veterans side by side on their knees together planting the flags. It was a truly remarkable sight.

This year we are encouraging more people to become involved by sending their messages on our Red Ensign Flags. We wish to give the Merchant Navy seafarers the recognition they deserve.

We invite you to write a message on our Red Ensign Flag (supplied in the pack you request) in memory of a loved one, friend or colleague, or someone who is presently away at sea.

Today, it is not unusual for seafarers to be separated from loved ones for up to 12 months, with severe restrictions limiting access to phones or internet. The Sailors’ Society provides a life-line for seafarers now, as it did during the War years.

Contact us NOW for your Red Ensign Flag pack.

Within the pack you will find a small card flag on which you can write your message and return it to us. We will then plant the flag on your behalf at Trinity Gardens on 7th September 2008.

[e-mail]

If you cannot make Tower Hill on the Merchant Navy Annual Service Day, please pass on a message or remember via the:
Sailors’ Society

350 Shirley Road
Southampton
Hampshire
SO15 3HY
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

General Enquries: [e-mail]
Accounts Department: [e-mail]
Chaplains Department: [e-mail]
Fundraising Department: [e-mail]

Registered Charity No: 237778
Limited by Guarantee, Registered in England No: 86942,Patron Her Majesty the Queen.

[Administrator]

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


We at Tregenna have full permission to use the works of Captain Joe Earl in tribute, we ask that you respect this work and contact us at Her Name Was SS. If you wish to reproduce any of the same, we will contact Joe on your behalf and request permission for you: [e-mail]

[They Bore the Brunt]

They Bore the Brunt

By Joe Earl

They sailed the seas to bear the brunt,
They steamed the courses laid,
Ten thousand miles their battle front,
Unbacked and undismayed.
Fine seamen these of our great race,
From your seaport or town,
They risked their lives with danger faced
Until their ship went down.
Remember them - they held the line,
Won freedom on the way,
Remember them - their life was thine -
On merchant navy day.

J.Earl