London & Greater London Branch

Merchant Navy Day 3rd September ( Now Official )

 

Contact Mr. Alf Trafford, London & Greater London Chairman, for further information on M.N. Day.

Telephone 020 8797 0935  Alf Trafford, for more information for yourself or your Association, or  just join our Branch.

Branch Secretary Mrs. Carole Rogers.

Please e mail carolebsns@btopenworld.com

Why 3rd September?

 This was the outbreak of war, and it was on this date 1939, the first loss to our Merchant Fleet was incurred, when the Liner the S. S. Athenia  of the (Anchor Donaldson Line )  was attacked  by U.30. 200 Miles off the Hebrides, with the loss of 93 passengers and 19crew.

London & Greater London Merchant Navy Association successfully organised Merchant Navy day at Tower Hill from 1996 to 2001.



Attendance this year was much higher than usual with a total of 55 Standards on parade and  59 wreaths were laid. The day was a great succes with dignotaries from around the world. The wreaths on the First World War Memorial were laid by Mr. Albert Goode, a survivor of the Laconia, sadly now crossed the bar. Many Branches from around the U.K. were also in attendance and a large turnout for all the Nation to see.

MERCHANT NAVY DAY PARADE AND REMEMBRANCE

SERVICE

Sunday the 7th September 2003 at the Merchant Navy national memorial, Tower Hill, London, 13.00hrs for the Fourth Official Merchant Navy Day.

Please note: Merchant Navy Day is being organised by the National Merchant Navy Association which is not part of our Organisation.

Come And Join Our Association...

The London and Greater London Merchant Navy Association is a thriving, prosperous and productive Association. The London and Greater London M.N.A. was formed in 1995 and rapidly became the largest in the Country with over 300 members.Our Aims and Principles are universally dedicated to helping and supporting where possible seafarers ans deep sea fishermen in a spirit of friendship, understanding, unity and loyalty to Sovereign and Country.We parade our Standard at Festivals of Remembrance,keeping alive the memory of fallen comrades. We had our first H.M.Government Official Merchant Navy Day on 3rd September,2000. We believe the continuous growth of our Association absolutely essential if we are to keep the debt that is owed for the sacrifice made by so many British Merchant Seafarers uppermost in the minds of the Nation and to be a constant reminder to the future generations of our Country's Heritage.

Apart From Attending Remembrance Services we also have an active social side, where members can bring along their wives, children grandchildren, relatives and friends who have sympathy with our Aims and Principles, who can join as Associate members.

Events & Outings we have taken part in, over the year:

Tour Of The Houses Of Parliament

Malta - For the dedication of a plaque at St. Paul's Cathedral in commemoration of the Merchant Navy Association.

Weymouth Military and Veterans Festival.

Freedom Of The Citie's of, Southampton,Bristol, and Cardiff.

Chatham Historic Dockyard in Kent.

St. George's Day Parade.

Anzac Day Parade.

Old Comorades Association Parade & Service.

Reunion of World War 11 Veterans in America.

National Memorial Arboretium in Staffordshire.

Trafalgar Day Parade with the Royal Naval Association Fleet Street.

Annual Seafarers Service in Barry, Wales.

Annual Seafarers Service at St. Paul's Cathedral, London.

Merchant Navy Day Parade & Service.

Golden Jubilee Parade in Pall Mall, London.

The Lord Mayor Show, London.

Shipkeeping and Guiding on the Bark Endeavour, Woolich Docks.

The 60th and last Anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic, Liverpool.

On Remembrance Weekend in November 2002 many of us attended Parades & Services at:

The Cenotaph in London.

Merchant Navy Memorial at Tower Hill, London.

St. Paul's Cathedral and Lunch at Mansion House, official home of the Lord Mayor Of London.

And at Anchor House, Canning Town, the Home of our regular meetings

We Had:

Golden Jubilee Celebrations for H.M. Queen Elizabeth's 60th Anniversary which was a very enjoyable occasion.

We have also had a Carol Service organised by our Host at Anchor House, and our own Christmas parties.

In other words... we have a FULL diary of events all year round. This year - 2003 - we are going on many of the same Parades, plus a reunion in Malta, visiting many friends we have made there over the last couple of years, and a trip to Liverpool for the 60th and last Anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic.

Next year we are looking forward to the possibility of the Freedom Of The City of Liverpool for the Merchant Navy.

Membership of our Association entitles you to attendance at our regular monthly meetings at Anchor House, up to date news of all parades and services we attend, coach outings and social events, slop chest sales, and regular newsletters.

So if you signed articles under the Red or Blue Ensigns, be it for a few months or many years, come and join us and learn more about the Merchant Navy Association.

P&O's Victoria

Mrs. Carole Rogers Hon Secretary.

Mr. Ron Quested, Honorary Treasurer - contact via above.

We are affiliated to the Merchant Navy Association Headquarters, whose members are of the original national Merchant Navy Association.

Our organisation should not be confused with that of Mrs. B. French or Capt. J.M.R. Sale who use the same name.

We are the Original  London & Greater London Merchant Navy Association.