Waverley raises the flag for Merchant Navy Day

The Mayor of Waverley, Cllr John Robini, led tributes to the work and service of the Merchant Navy at the Burys, Godalming, today. 

The Merchant Navy flag has been raised in recognition to the brave men and women of the Merchant Navy. These are people who serve in commercial shipping - from cruise ships to tankers and to cargo ships of all description - in both war and peacetime.

Cllr Robini said: “We are proud to fly the Red Ensign flag, the flag of the Merchant Navy. The date today, September 3, is both poignant and significant as it marks the declaration of war between Britain and Germany at the start of the Second World War in 1939. 

“The Battle of the Atlantic was the longest campaign during the Second World War. At that time Britain relied heavily on its North Atlantic shipping routes for essential imports from its allies, the United States and Canada. In total 60,000 Allied Merchant seafarers lost their lives and it is to them that we pay homage to. 

“Quite simply without their courage and determination we would not be able to enjoy today the freedoms that we so easily take for granted.”

The Merchant Navy flag has been raised in recognition to the brave men and women of the Merchant Navy. These are people who serve in commercial shipping - from cruise ships to tankers and to cargo ships of all description - in both war and peacetime.

“In Waverley we are a little way from the coast but we have still benefitted and continue to benefit from the extraordinary sacrifices,  made by ordinary men and women, which for so long went unrecognised.“