Today, 3rd September 2009 - Merchant Navy Day. 70 years ago today, the passenger/cargo ship ATHENIA was torpedoed and sunk just hours after the declaration of war. Please remember them today - Lest We Forget. Regards Hugh
I'll check the papers today and tomorrow to see if there's anything to be posted. Remember the forgotten thousands.
Has 3rd September always [i.e since WW2] been Merchant Navy Day? I'm afraid its not well publicised if it is.
A parliamentary friend kept me up to date with the inaugural day which I think was two years ago. I asked him to keep at them and it eventually came to fruition. Hugh would know more about the background than me. Wheels of Government turn slowly.
Adrian, After many years of campaigning, Merchant Navy Day was finally granted in the year 2000 for the U.K (55 years after the end of WWII). Canada followed a year later in 2001 and as Geoff has stated the Australians finally came aboard last year after a long campaign. We are hopeful that the New Zealanders will be next. Frankly, it's late in the day but better late than never. This recognition has been very hard fought and to be honest its a disgrace that it has taken so long. Many wartime seamen crossed the bar long before our governments were finally persuaded to do the right thing. Regards Hugh
