Residents are invited to attend a flag raising ceremony to mark Merchant Navy Day 2022 on Tuesday 3 September. The ceremony will commemorate all those who work at sea, both past and present and will take place outside Oakham Castle from 10.15-10.45am.
Merchant Navy Day is marked each year throughout the UK and commemorates the beginning of the Second World War in 1939 when the first UK merchant ship, “SS Athenia”, was torpedoed and sunk by Germany with a loss of over 120 passengers and crew. Merchant Navy Day raises public awareness of the country’s ongoing dependence on merchant seafarers. The Seafarers’ Charity (formerly Seafarers U.K.) started the Fly the Red Ensign for the Merchant Navy Day campaign in 2015 to address ‘sea blindness,’ providing an opportunity to pay tribute to merchant seafarers. Merchant Navy Day became an official day of remembrance in 2000.
Rutland’s Armed Forces Champion, Cllr David Wilby, said:
'It is important that we recognise and celebrate the Merchant Navy community, past and present and acknowledge the UK’s ongoing dependence on merchant seafarers, who are responsible for shipping over 95% of the UK’s trade. By flying the flag we give our thanks and support to the seamen and women whose dedication and sacrifice should not be forgotten. We hope to see residents join us at the short ceremony.'
The Lord-Lieutenant of Rutland, Dr Sarah Furness, said:
‘I am pleased that Merchant Navy Day is celebrated here in Rutland. It is too easy for the role and importance of the Merchant Navy to go unrecognised. Without the heroism of the largely unarmed Merchant Fleet both the First and Second World Wars would have been lost. This was at very considerable cost in loss of life amongst Merchant Seafarers. Marking Merchant Navy Day should remind us of the sacrifices made during those two wars. We should also remember that we are an island nation and had, and continue to have, dependence upon our Merchant Navy for much of our food and fuel. We are far from self-sufficient. The Merchant Navy also carries many of our world renowned British goods for export trade. We should be aware of the vital role the Merchant Navy has played, and continues to play, in enabling our present way of life.'