Merchant Navy wreath (OH10-0604-031)
06 September 2010
The Red Duster of the Merchant Navy was paraded with pride by Merchant Navy veteran John Forsyth at the first official Merchant Navy Day at the National War Memorial in Wellington on Friday 3 September.
The ceremony was attended by Merchant Navy veterans, the Governor General of New Zealand His Excellency Sir Anand Satyanand, politicians, diplomats, and Defence personnel.
The ceremony began with the mounting of the Royal Navy catafalque guard and arrival of the official guests in the Hall of Memories.
Rear Admiral David Ledson delivered the prologue saying that today is a day to honour and remember with gratitude all those who served with the Merchant Navy.
The Governor General read an extract from Neil Atkinson’s book ‘Hell or High Water’ from Lionel Hodgson about the sinking of the SS Remuera after she was torpedoed off Scotland in 1940. “She slowly filled up from the stern and the last I saw of her, from the bridge up she was vertical and she just slowly went down. In those days at least, the ship was your home, and I’ll never forget the feeling when you saw your home disappear under the waves.”
Among the wreaths laid was one by Ian Dymock, President of the Wellington branch of the Merchant Navy Association on behalf of all veterans and members of the Merchant Navy Associations of New Zealand and their families. Mr Dymock is among the veterans who lobbied to have Merchant Navy Day officially recognised.
Wreaths were also laid by the Governor General, The Honourable Chris Finlayson, Vice Chief of Defence Force Rear Admiral Jack Steer, and Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Tony Parr.
Warrant Officer Jack Rudolph delivered the ode in Maori and Ian Dymock delivered the ode in English.
After singing the National Anthem the Reverend Bob Peters, Chaplain of the Mission to Seafarers, re-dedicated the Merchant Navy Plaque.
At the end of the ceremony guests laid poppies on the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior.
See images taken at the Merchant Navy Day
Background
During WWII the merchant fleets were the lifeblood of the Allied war effort. They operated in every theatre of the war, carrying troops and supplying military forces with food, weapons and ammunition. This was an aspect of war that was hard, monotonous and dangerous. The ships not only faced attack by aircraft, warships or U-boats, but also the usual hazards of voyaging at sea.
New Zealand’s merchant fleet participated in many of the great military operations of the war. New Zealanders also sailed in merchant ships belonging to Britain, the United States and other countries. Some took part in the Arctic convoys, among the most hazardous voyages undertaken of the war. Others served in the Malta convoys, carrying supplies to the besieged island under heavy attack from German and Italian aircraft and naval forces.