Merchant Navy Day
Since 2000, Merchant Navy Day on 3rd September has honoured the brave men and women who kept our 'Island Nation' afloat during both World Wars, and celebrated our dependence on modern day merchant seafarers who are responsible for 95% of the UK's imports, including much of the food we eat, most of the fuel we burn and virtually all the products and goods we take for granted!
M.N. Day September 3rd 2024
From Capt. Timothy MacGuire:
As well as celebrating the event by flag hoisting the Red Ensign at the Ferry Sailing Club (thanks to Bruno) and at Melton Playing Fields (thanks to Ian) , the main event was at Orwell Quay Ipswich with Club Captain Ian Buckle and myself. See attached group photograph and press release.
Ipswich Merchant Navy Association
PRESS RELEASE - Merchant Navy Day 2024 - 3rd September
Contact: Timothy MacGuire Phone: 07305-534765
Merchant Navy Day 2024 - 3rd September Orwell Quay Ipswich
Tuesday morning 3rd September, at Ipswich Marina on Orwell Quay at the Seafarer's Memorial, Cllr. Alaister Ross (standing in for Ipswich Mayor) was guest of honour at the Ipswich Merchant Navy Association celebration and commemoration of Merchant Navy Day 2024. A Parade with Standard Bearers and Buglers from the Ipswich Merchant Navy Association, Royal Navy Association and Old Boys Brigade led the commemoration. Service was led by the association Chaplain, Rev. Andrew Dotchin. The Chairman of Ipswich Merchant Navy Association, Captain Timothy MacGuire, put the day's event into context with this year's 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy of June 1944.
Today, on Orwell Quay Ipswich, we honour the unknown merchant seafarers who died in conflicts at sea, where the ocean deep is their grave. Unlike Ipswich cenotaph with its large list of names and known casualties, we have no names on our memorial. It's not large enough and the toll is too great. It's a simple memorial on Orwell Quay footpath where the space is so large, you hardly notice it, like a lone ship bobbing in the vast ocean.
This year is the 80th anniversary of D-Day, the largest amphibious landing operation of WW2. What made it possible was the huge logistics chain stretching across the north Atlantic supplying food, arms and fuel to power the invasion and for months afterwards. The merchant ship convoy system that survived the Battle of the Atlantic made it all possible. So today, 3rd September, we both celebrate and commemorate those seafarers who made the ultimate sacrifice so that we can live in freedom.
ABOUT - Ipswich Merchant Navy Association - active retired seafarers and volunteers group who meet monthly at Isaacs on Ipswich waterfront Wherry Quay, organizing events and outings of nautical interest. www.mna.org.uk
Contact - Media and PR officer - Timothy MacGuire, email tmacguire@gmail.com, telephone 07305-534765.
On the same day we also had a flag hoisting event at Woodbridge tidemill with the local mayor, Cllr. Robin Sanders as guest of honour and other assembled guests, including Captain Ian Buckle and Captain Timothy MacGuire.
We also had a sunset and flag lowering service at St. John the Baptist Church in Orwell Road Felixstowe, led by the church vicar, Canon Andrew Dotchin. Regretfully no photos taken at this last event.
____________________________________________