On 3rd September, Scottish Borders Council will raise the Red Ensign at its Newtown St Boswells headquarters to honour the seafarers who keep Britain’s trade moving.
Scottish Borders Council will mark Merchant Navy Day with a flag-raising ceremony at its headquarters in Newtown St Boswells at 9.30am on Wednesday 3rd September.
The "Red Duster", as the Red Ensign is affectionately known, will be hoisted to raise awareness of the UK's ongoing support for Merchant Navy seafarers. The Seafarers' Charity encourages organisations across the country to fly the flag on the day, as a reminder to honour the often-overlooked contribution of the men and women who ship over 95% of the UK's trade, keeping the country supplied in both peacetime and conflict.
Merchant Navy Day was established in 2000 by HM Government and falls on 3rd September each year, the anniversary of the start of the Second World War, and more specifically, the day the SS Athenia became the first British merchant ship lost in that war. The losses that followed were staggering: more than 17,000 merchant seamen died in the First World War when U-boats targeted supply convoys, and over 35,000 were killed in the Second, many on the brutal Arctic convoy routes.
Scottish Borders Council has taken part in the national day for several years, raising the flag outside its Newtown St Boswells headquarters and following it with a short tribute. In previous ceremonies, the flag has been hoisted by Councillor John Greenwell, the council's champion for armed forces and veterans, who has spoken of it as one of the few chances communities get to properly thank the seafarers who serve, past, present, and their families, for work that so often goes unseen.
Anyone with a Merchant Navy connection, past or present, is welcome to attend the ceremony. More information on Merchant Navy Day and how to get involved is available via The Seafarers' Charity and on the Scottish Borders Council news page.
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