This morning a flag raising ceremony took place at the Market House for Merchant Navy Day.
The small ceremony was organised by the Ross Branch of the Royal British Legion.
The 3rd September 1939 was not only the date that World War II began, but also the date of the first major British maritime casualty with the loss of the Merchant Navy vessel, SS Arthenia, torpedoed just hours after hostilities were declared. The ship went down with 128 passengers and crew. This was the first of many such losses as the brave men and women of the Merchant Navy continued to maintain essential supplies during the war.
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 to thank those modern day seafarers for keeping our country fed, moving and supplied.
Picture via the Ross Branch of the Royal British Legion.
