Council to mark Merchant Navy Day

Councillor Brenda Loynes, the Ceremonial Mayor of Hartlepool, will raise the ‘Red Duster’ as it’s affectionately known in a special ceremony in front of Civic Centre on Tuesday 3 September at 10am. Also taking part in the ceremony will be Councillor Lee Cartwright, the Council’s Armed Forces Champion.

Since the beginning of this century, 3 September has been the UK’s officially-designated Merchant Navy Day. The day was chosen because on that day in 1939, the first day of the Second World War, the SS Athenia was the first Merchant Navy ship to be torpedoed and sunk, with the loss of 128 passengers and crew.

Councillor Loynes said: “This is a day which is especially close to my heart as my late father Captain Charles Noakes of the Merchant Navy served in the Second World War, including during the invasion of North Africa when bombs were falling all around his ship.

“During the two World Wars our brave seafarers battled the enemy, the seas and the weather to bring us vital food and other supplies, and many lost their lives in doing so.

“Today, with more seaports and harbours and a longer coastline than any other European country, our dependence on the Merchant Navy has increased still further – 95% of our imports are carried by ships, including almost half the food we eat, as well as more than 75% of our exports.  

“The men and women of the Merchant Navy play a massive role in the wellbeing of our island nation and we owe them an immense debt of gratitude.”

Councillor Cartwright added: “As Armed Forces Champion, I salute the bravery of our Merchant Navy men and women, past and present.

“During the First and Second World Wars they risked their lives and battled through often appalling conditions to keep our Armed Forces and our country supplied with crucial food and equipment.

“Their tenacity and dedication continues to this day and I am proud to pay tribute to them.”