It is not widely known that about 6.5 per cent of all Merchant Navy personnel died on Second World War service, a higher percentage than any other Service, and that during the Allied recapture of the Philippine Islands there were more Merchant Navy casualties than those of all other Services combined. Of the seventy six merchant ships lost in Australian waters to mines, torpedoes, shelling and bombing, twenty-nine were Australian. Australian seamen killed on these numbered 349 and a further 37 died while prisoner of war. The number of Australian merchant seamen lost on all the oceans will probably never be known. The Royal Australian Navy supplied gunners to Defensively-Equipped Merchant Ships (D.E.M.S.) and thirty-eight of these gunners lost their lives. From:The Australian Merchant Navy | British Fleets
Still waiting to see if your P.M. Kevin Rudd is going to honour his promise to have September 3rd recognised in your country as Merchant Navy Day. Things grind on slowly when politicians gain power and then all of a sudden their promises get put on the back burner. Hope he hasn't forgotten, I know a few determined folk over there in Oz working away at this and wont let it lie. Regards Hugh
He just completed his "100 day" press conference and seems to be getting most promises on the move. We will have to wait and see. Need a reporter to ask the specific question. I will send you a PM.
