17.01.06 Dennis Earle writes: Prince of Wales Sea Training School Dover,1963. Deck-boy to AB, employed various shipping companies, New Zealand Shipping, Port Line, Royal Mail Houlder Bros and more up to early seventies. Took up North Sea Oil Rig employment 10 yrs then to Bus and Coach Driving. Now looking after sick wife. Maybe somebody may remember me aboard the Ruahine or Port Pirei Hardwick Grange, Alanzer or even the Beaver boats Beaver Fir. I would like to be able to find my old cabin mate Jimmy Waddle from Greenock he was a Rangers supporter. Would like to meet up again. coaches49@yahoo.co.uk

16.01.06 Lisa Ewart writes: I am looking for Neil Brown who was in the merchant navy around 1960s-1970's from the Edinburgh area. He would be around 60-ish now. Any information would be great. Thank you :) Lisaloo@hotmail.com

GRAVESEND - 1961. DO YOU RECOGNISE ANYONE? Hi Gordon, My story is probably familiar one. My father, Derrick Deakin, otherwise known as Mac, joined the merchant navy as soon as he was 15. He did his training at Gravesend in 1961. He went off to see the world and enjoyed himself. Then he joined the royal artillery and went to fight in the civil war in Singapore/ Malaysia. Then he met my mother settled down and had a family and lived his life as normal, leaving his merchant navy days as memories. Then a few years ago a man knocked at my Dads door told him his name was Mel Gingell and trained with him at Gravesend and showed him an old photo of him when he was in the merchant navy. My Dad could barely remember him and Mel said that my Dad stuck in his memory for some reason and so decided to track him down. Now my Dad and Mel are best of friends and regularly keep in touch with each other. The pair of them don't really remember anyone else on the photo but would like to contact anyone who is on the photo or remember my Dad or Mel. Photo is I've attached the photo, my Dad is on the front row second from the left and Mel is just behind his left shoulder. Thanks for everything, Darren.

AN APPEAL FROM OUR COLLEAGUES DOWN UNDER

Re: INTERNATIONAL MERCHANT NAVY DAY (IMND) You may be aware that strong moves have occurred in other countries, and efforts have commenced here, to establish the annual commemoration of an International Merchant Navy Day (IMND) on 3rd September, the date of the outbreak of the Second World War. I write to seek your active support in achieving this in Australia. There is much interest in New Zealand in our efforts. We understand that the Parliaments of the United Kingdom and Canada have already legislated for this and, despite the historic reluctance of the Australian Government to add any legislated days to the only two already formally "proclaimed" - Anzac Day and Remembrance Day - that is our objective here. I have had the benefit of contact with Ministers of the current government on the subject. Their encouragement includes the following excerpts from letters already received. "The Government would be pleased to support any date to commemorate the service and sacrifice of the Merchant Mariners during wartime, provided that after widespread consultation it gained acceptance in the community. Initially, it would be up to the Merchant Mariner Ex-Service groups to identify a day of significance to them and promote and encourage observance. I understand that there is interest among former Merchant Mariner groups to try to find a common day for commemoration." Danna Vale Minister for Veteran Affairs 11th September 2003   “The Prime Minister agrees that we should recognize the courage and sacrifice of  Australian's merchant seamen in the second World War and other conflicts. The government does support and encourage participation in other commemorative days which have gained acceptance amongst veterans and the wider community, such as Vietnam Veterans Day.  I understand that many states already have annual commemorative ceremonies that recognize merchant seamen, but that the dates vary.  The government is willing to provide some support for a national day, provided that it is accepted by Veterans and the community.  The government would encourage merchant seamen's groups to settle on a date, whether that be September 3 or some other day, and promote its observance and acceptance.” Darren Brown Adviser to the Prime Minister the Honourable John Howard

We have received support from the following individuals and community groups. The Governor General Major General Jeffery Minister for Health the Honourable Tony Abbott Minister for Veterans Affairs Danna Vale The Australian Merchant Navy Awards Council – D.A. Smith Executive Officer 23 Separate Merchant Navy Group and Associations RSL State Branches and ACT Merchant Navy Sub branch – RSL Secretary Doug Lane Elsewhere in correspondence the Government has noted that several dates other than 3 September have been used for MN commemorative activity over recent years. This variety has been unhelpful (as the quote above suggests), however we understand that there is no desire in the MN community to have any of those selected as IMND. They appear to have simply been locally-convenient at the time. Our present hopes lie in firstly, ensuring 3 September is marked at as many locations as possible with commemorative IMND activity, and secondly with lobbying Parliamentarians as to the possibility of a Private Member's Bill being introduced or a Proclamation to seek legislation for the day. In both of these activities, Parliamentarian support is I seek your acknowledgement and support for the recognition of this day. Your encouragement of others to join you in using the constitutional processes to develop appropriate resolutions and in making known the IMND concept to local Parliamentarians and community.

Your supportive reply will reinforce our efforts. At the outbreak of WW2 the seagoing personnel of the British Merchant Navy combined with Australia and New Zealand totalled approx.120.000 of all ranks (equal to 8 army divisions) at wars end 43,582 were finally listed as killed/missing at sea-the equivalent of almost (3 army divisions.) This represented the highest death rate of any armed service. There were no non combatant duties in the M N. All crews were on virtual front line service when at sea – and in port in war zones . In all actions Merchant Ships were the enemy’s principal targets whether Transports, Tankers, or Troopships. Active Service losses in ships and men by the Australian Merchant Navy both in Australian waters and in foreign seas during World War 2 resulted in the “Death on service at sea by enemy action of a reported 885 Australian Merchant Navy Mariners” Australian War Museum official figures this excludes wounded, many more are unrecorded lost at sea in allied foreign flagged vessels. Merchant Navy Remembrance Day be officially recognised and formally observed annually in Australia on the International Mariners Remembrance Day each September 3rd. as is now observed by other WW2 Allied Nations” Yours sincerely, Ronald (Steve) Wylie

The perspective of history has led to strong expressions of the worth of an International Merchant Navy Day of Remembrance here in Australia. The United Kingdom and Canada have led the quest and in this these countries have been closely followed by as well as being closely linked historically and culturally with, Australia and New Zealand. The 3rd day of September, the commencement of the Second War World, is the date sought for annual recognition. Australia has used merchant ships to despatch its colonial or national armed forces personnel to war fighting or peacekeeping operations since 1885, when a New South Wales contingent went to the Sudan. Forces from several colonies were transported to the Anglo-Boer War 1899-1902. Post Federation Australian Forces deployed to the Boxer Rebellion, 1900-1901 and to the First World War (“The Great War”) 1914-1918. By far, Australia’s largest commitment of armed forces was to the Second World War 1939-1945, one in which, besides other menaces, the Japanese threat to Australia itself was very real. Since then, combat operations in Korea, the Malayan Emergency and Vietnam, as well as numerous peacemaking and peacekeeping tasks have engaged the Australian Defence Force. Merchant shipping has been vital to these commitments, but it was in the “Battle for Australia” period of the Second World War that the nation’s merchant mariners collectively served their most extensive and dramatic role. It was a role involving great heroism and sacrifice, to date largely unrecorded, unrecognised and unsung. Many Australian seamen serviced and sacrificed in ships of our wartime allies and in this way Australia’s war effort was further internationalised. But for Australians generally, the work which seemed, and was for a significant period, most relevant at the time was that of the peace converted to war shipping belonging to Australian companies, strongly supported by that of New Zealand, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Norway and others. As the Japanese invasion forces moved relentlessly south in late 1941 and early 1942, the main implications for the allies included preparation and the saving of civilian lives (if not property) and then the great logistic task of moving troops, weapons, vehicles, munitions, food, all the impedimenta of war, forward in to the theatres of action and support. It was true to say; “The most important road on the earth’s surface is the sea road. Who controls the sea road, wins the war” All this was against the backdrop of similar allied activity on all the world’s oceans, in all conditions and ship quality, climate and weather, and minimally defended from the harshest enemy action. Countless merchant seafarers found their final resting place in the bosom of the ocean. The establishment and annual acknowledgment of the 3rd day of September as International Merchant Navy Day is some, albeit always insufficient, recognition of the faithful service and dauntless courage and self-sacrifice of the seafarers in securing the freedoms we enjoy today   For more information visit www.merchant-navy-ships.com

Hi Gordon,