Red Ensign raised in recognition of Merchant Navy Day 2024

3 September 2024

Image:At left: Former Merchant Navy officer Stan McNally, a Nautilus Care Home resident, accompanied by Keith Newey, his son-in-law, lays a wreath at the Atlantic Stone at Mariners' Park in Wallasey, UK. Right: Alex Harrison, a former master mariner, lowered and raised the flag accompanied by head gardener Dave Crawford. Images: Nautilus International except where stated. — At left: Former Merchant Navy officer Stan McNally, a Nautilus Care Home resident, accompanied by Keith Newey, his son-in-law, lays a wreath at the Atlantic Stone at Mariners' Park in Wallasey, UK. Right: Alex Harrison, a former master mariner, lowered and raised the flag accompanied by head gardener Dave Crawford. Images: Nautilus International except where stated.

Red Ensign flag-raising events were held throughout the UK for 2024's Merchant Navy Day in honour of merchant seafarers – for their sacrifices in global conflict, and their vital role in supporting the global economy in increasingly dangerous routes.

The annual Raise the Red Ensign Campaign is hosted by The Seafarers' Charity to fundraise and celebrate the UK's dependence on merchant seafarers and to address 'sea blindness' – the lack of awareness of the maritime industry among the general population.

Nautilus Mariners' Park

Nautilus Mariners' Park residents raised the Red Ensign and laid several wreaths at the annual ceremony and service held on the UK estate in Wallasey run by the Nautilus Welfare Fund

Image:Nautilus Care Home resident Kate Hurley and her son Ian Hurley lay a wreath at the Atlantic Stone. — Nautilus Care Home resident Kate Hurley and her son Ian Hurley lay a wreath at the Atlantic Stone.

Image:Mariners' Park Estate resident John Davidson lays a wreath at the Atlantic Stone. — Mariners' Park Estate resident John Davidson lays a wreath at the Atlantic Stone.

Glasgow

Nautilus head of industrial Micky Smyth also laid a wreath on behalf of the Union at the Cenotaph in Glasgow and attended a ceremony in the City Chambers on 3 September.

Deputy general secretary Olu Tunde will also lay a wreath at the Merchant Navy Memorial, Tower Hill in London on Sunday 8 September.

Image:In the chambers at Glasgow — In the chambers at Glasgow

Image:Wreathlaying at the Glasgow Cenotaph — Wreathlaying at the Glasgow Cenotaph

Edinburgh

Nautilus Council member Allan Dickson, a Merchant Navy Medal 2023 awardee, and treasurer of the Edinburgh branch of the Merchant Navy Association (MNA) took part in the branch ceremony at the Scottish National Merchant Navy Memorial in Leith.

The event welcomed a good turnout of serving and retired seafarers, the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, as well as representatives from Northern Lighthouse board, Forth Ports Limited, Trinity House Leith, Ocean Technologies Group, Leith Chamber of commerce and the local community council.

Image:MNA Edinburgh branch treasurer and Nautilus Council member Allan Dickson (left) reading a message from HRH the Duke of Edinburgh next to Reverend Iain May. Image: Allan Dickson — MNA Edinburgh branch treasurer and Nautilus Council member Allan Dickson (left) reading a message from HRH the Duke of Edinburgh next to Reverend Iain May. Image: Allan Dickson

Image:Wreathlayers were from the Merchant Navy Association, Northern Lighthouse board, Trinity House Leith, Royal Fleet Auxiliary, and City of Edinburgh Council. Image: Allan Dickson — Wreathlayers were from the Merchant Navy Association, Northern Lighthouse board, Trinity House Leith, Royal Fleet Auxiliary, and City of Edinburgh Council. Image: Allan Dickson

Image:Maritime cadets from the City of Glasgow College also took part in the Merchant Navy Day 2024 parade through their city. — Maritime cadets from the City of Glasgow College also took part in the Merchant Navy Day 2024 parade through their city.

Dover

Nautilus staff attended the Dover District Council’s annual Merchant Navy Day remembrance ceremony and wreath laying ceremony at the Dover Merchant Navy Memorial. The UK memorial is a legacy of former radio officer Donald 'Don' Hunter, a Second World War veteran who died in May, but who had campaigned tirelessly for recognition for UK seafarers.

Image:Chris Hairsine and Tony Minns at the Dover Merchant Navy Memorial. — Chris Hairsine and Tony Minns at the Dover Merchant Navy Memorial.

Kingston upon Hull

The Nautilus Welfare Fund was also represented during Merchant Navy Day events in Kingston Upon Hull by one of the charity's caseworkers John Norris. The parade and wreath laying attracted a good crowd of people, with pleasant weather and a light breeze to flutter the Red Ensign.

Image:Nautilus casework John Norris (far right), with, from left : Ron Paddison -Hull Fishing Heritage Centre,Sally Taylor - The Fishermens Mission; Davis Smith - Hull Fishing Heritage Centre; Jerry Thompson - Hull Fishing Heritage Centre. — Nautilus casework John Norris (far right), with, from left : Ron Paddison -Hull Fishing Heritage Centre,Sally Taylor - The Fishermens Mission; Davis Smith - Hull Fishing Heritage Centre; Jerry Thompson - Hull Fishing Heritage Centre.

Image:The piper Dale McLean leads the Parade of Standards onto the pier with the Lord Mayor and Admiral of the Humber. Also in attendance were other dignitaries, and local representatives of the Merchant Navy, Royal Navy and fishing fleets. — The piper Dale McLean leads the Parade of Standards onto the pier with the Lord Mayor and Admiral of the Humber. Also in attendance were other dignitaries, and local representatives of the Merchant Navy, Royal Navy and fishing fleets.

Merchant Navy sacrifices commemorated by Union in London

Nautilus deputy general secretary Olu Tunde represented the Union at a special Merchant Navy Day Commemorative Service held at the Merchant Navy Memorial on Tower Hill in London on Sunday 8 September.

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09 September 2024