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Merchant Navy Day Commemoration Honours Civilians’ Commitment
The
national commemoration honouring those who served in the
Merchant Navy during wartime is being held at Pukeahu
National War Memorial Park on 3 September, Tamsin Evans, Pou
Mataaho o Te Hua Deputy Chief Executive Delivery Manatū
Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage said
today. “This commemoration
honours the several thousand New Zealand seafarers who
served both in the First and Second World Wars, mostly
sailing under the British red ensign,” Tamsin Evans
said.
“The date, 3 September, marks the sinking of the
first British merchant ship in 1939, just hours after the
Second World War began 81 years ago.
“Some 70 New
Zealand sailors are known to have lost their lives during
the First World War and at least 130 during the Second World
War, with a similar number taken prisoner.
“These
civilian volunteers sailed the ships delivering troops,
military equipment and vital cargoes of food, fuel and raw
materials. Many ships were torpedoed or bombed, and
survivors sometimes spent days or weeks in lifeboats before
being rescued.
“No other group of New Zealand civilians
faced such risks during wartime.
“This year’s
commemoration will be attended by Defence Minister Ron Mark
and Chris Penk MP representing the Opposition, with
representatives from Taranaki Whānui, the Diplomatic Corps,
New Zealand Merchant Navy Association, New Zealand Russian
Convoy Club, Royal New Zealand Navy and the Royal New
Zealand Returned and Services Association.
“In response
to the current COVID-19 pandemic this commemoration, as with
all national commemorations scheduled for the remainder of
2020, will take the form of an Act of Remembrance (wreath
laying ceremony) held at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior and
regrettably members of the public are unable to attend,”
Tamsin Evans said.
Merchant Navy was a symbolic title
adopted in Britain in the 1920s recognising the contribution
of merchant mariners during the First World War.
With
this work essential to the Allies' war effort the Merchant
Navy was effectively regarded as the ‘fourth service’
alongside the army, navy and air force. As civilians
employed by private shipping companies, most did not wear
uniforms. Some were as young as 14 years old and others were
in their 60s or
70s.
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