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Post by KG on Nov 11, 2013 20:57:48 GMT
Armistice Day - marking the end - 95 years ago - of the First World War. We've had a weekend of commemoration and remembrance services across the world, and as each year passes, there are fewer and fewer war veterans left to tell their tales. LINK
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Post by KG on Nov 11, 2013 23:35:43 GMT
In wartime, Britain depended on civilian cargo ships to import food and raw materials, as well as transport soldiers overseas, and keep them supplied. The title 'Merchant Navy' was granted by King George V after the First World War to recognise the contribution made by merchant sailors. Britain’s merchant fleet was the largest in the world during both world wars. In 1939 a third of the world’s merchant ships were British, and there were some 200,000 sailors. Many 'British' merchant seamen came from parts of the British Empire, such as India, Hong Kong and west African countries. Women also sometimes served at sea in the Merchant Navy. LINK |
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