The Merchant seaman

[vic mcclymont]

The merchant seaman never faltered. He sailed voyage after voyage, perhaps on occasions changing the North Atlantic for North Russia or Malta.
To him we owe our preservation and our very lives.

Alfred Barnes
Minister of War Transport, September, 1945.

We shall remember them
Vic

[Keith at Tregenna]

The Merchant Seamen
By Brian G. Redding

This poem is dedicated to all Merchant Seamen

No poppies wave above our heads
Or mark the place where we must sleep
Below the oceans wild and wide
Our resting place is in the deep

Out of the night torpedoes came
To start the roar of flash and flame

The stink of burning oil and then
The cries of all the dying men

We ask you not to call us brave
For we volunteered 'tis true

We gave our lives so you could live
And asked no thanks from you

Armed forces from around the world
Put their lives upon the line

Just the same as we did
Having faith in the divine

The wolf packs now no longer roam
And peace then brought the hereos home

No poppies wave above our heads
But we are gone and long dead

So let us not forget the crew
Of merchant ships in battle too
The merchant seamen played their part
Remember them with all your heart

[Keith at Tregenna]

I've Read About Soldiers and Sailors - Anon

I've read about soldiers and sailors
Of infantry, airmen and tanks,
Of battleships, corvettes and cruisers,
Of Anzacs, Froggies and Yanks;
But there’s one other man to remember
Who was present at many affray,
He wears neither medals or ribbons
And derides any show of display.

http://www.merchant-navy.net/forum/p...lors-anon.html

[Frederick Lacey]

Just been watching the Merchant Navy being recognised at the Remembrance Service at the Albert Hall,
nice show including some 90 plus year olds who had been torpedoed, 30 thousand lost at sea.


F

[Richard Quartermaine]

Thanks Frederick, Trying to locate link on BBC - no luck yet.
Richard

[graham clemo]

nice to know the boys of the merchant navy were represented in a lot better fashion this year felt like we were nearly guests of honour