MERCHANT Navy Day was commemorated in Trowbridge, Chippenham and across the country this morning (Sept 3) during special ceremony in which the Red Ensign was flown to mark Merchant Navy Day.
September 3 remembers the 36,000 merchant seafarers who died at sea during World War Two.
The date is chosen because on September 3, 1939, on the first day of the Second World War, the SS Athenia became the first merchant navy ship to be lost to the war, with 128 passengers and crew killed.
Speaking outside County Hall in Trowbridge as the flag was flown, Allison Bucknell, chairman of Wiltshire Council said: “As an island nation the UK’s prosperity has been dependant on the merchant fleet since the beginning of international trade. Today, the UK relies on ships and seafarers of many nationalities for 90 per cent of our imports including half the food we eat. And we have the largest ports industry in Europe from which 75 per cent of our exports are shipped.
“But it was in World War II when the Merchant Navy and its brave seamen played their most vital role in keeping the nation fed and supplied with the raw materials essential to the nation’s survival and capacity to continue the struggle. And the merchant fleet has also had an important role in other operations since then, including the recovery of the Falkland’s in 1982.
“We owe a deep debt of gratitude to our Merchant seamen, past and present.”
His Royal Highness The Earl of Wessex, said: "On this Merchant Navy Day, I very much hope you will support this campaign to remember the sacrifices, salute the courage and support the future of the often unsung personnel of our Merchant Navy."
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