South Kesteven District Council and Rutland County Council raise red flag to mark Merchant Navy Day 2020

The British Merchant Navy’s iconic red flag has been raised at South Kesteven District Council's office in Grantham and at Oakham Castle to mark Merchant Navy Day 2020 today (Thursday, September 3).

Merchant Navy Day is celebrated throughout the UK on September 3 each year – the day that marked the start of the Second World in 1939 and which saw the first British maritime casualty of the conflict.

In Grantham, SKDC chairman, Coun Jacky Smith (Con), led the commemoration of the work of merchant seafarers and their commitment and sacrifice during war and conflict.

Ahead of the ceremony, Captain John Sail, Merchant Navy Association National Chairman, read the seafarers’ poem, Sea Fever, by John Masefield: “I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky, and all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by.”

Father Stuart Cradduck, Rector of St Wulfram’s Church in Grantham, led the prayers, ahead of Coun Smith reciting the Kohima Epitaph.

She also read a message from HRH The Earl of Wessex, saying: “I very much hope you will support this campaign by Seafarers UK to remember the sacrifices, salute the courage and support the future of the often-unsung personnel of our Merchant Navy. Too often they are the forgotten or invisible service.”

In Rutland the flag will be flown outside Oakham Castle for the next week. It was raised by Captain Robert Strick, following opening addresses by Lord-Lieutenant of Rutland Dr Sarah Furness, council chairman Edward Baines (Con) and Councillor Ian Razzell (Con).

Coun Ian Razzell (Con), a Rutland County Council Armed Forces Champion and former Army Officer, said: “Merchant Navy Day honours the brave men and women who sacrificed so much to kept our ‘island nation’ afloat during both world wars. The Merchant Navy is no less important today. Modern merchant seafarers are responsible for more than 90 per cent of the UK’s imports, including almost half the food we eat. This year, we’ve had to accept that public gatherings aren’t an appropriate way to mark Merchant Navy Day. However, we can still proudly fly the Red Ensign to show our respect, support and gratitude.”

Merchant Navy Day was first recognised on September 3, 2000 and is supported by The Merchant Navy Fund, along with local authorities across the UK.

The Merchant Navy Association was formed in 1989 as a charitable body to build greater awareness of maritime heritage and the contribution of merchant seafarers and fishermen.

For more information about Merchant Navy Day please visit: www.merchantnavyday.uk .