Remember the Merchant Seamen
11/09/2008
7 September was Merchant Navy Day - a poignant reminder for one seafarer’s widow. Merseyside Grandmother Jean Best has more idea than most about how difficult being a seafarer’s wife can be. Her beloved husband John, who passed away eleven years ago, gave 42 years of his life to the Merchant Navy and despite the sacrifices, loved every moment of it.
Mrs Best, 80 and from Wallasey, joined other wives, family members, friends and supporters in remembering loved ones on Merchant Navy Day. For Mrs Best though it is even more poignant as she would have been celebrating her 48th wedding anniversary on the same day.
The annual Merchant Navy Day service took place at Tower Hill, with veterans, supporters, family members and friends joining together especially to remember the sacrifices seafarers’ have made in the past and continue to make. The date of the Merchant Navy Remembrance Day coincides with that of 3 September 1939, a few hours after war had been declared on Germany, when the first shipping casualty occurred with the sinking of the passenger ship, Athenia, resulting in the loss of 112 passengers and crew. For the next six years there was barely a day that went by without the loss of merchant ships and their crews.
International seafarers’ charity the Sailors’ Society has given supporters and loved ones the unique opportunity to take part in the service without actually being in attendance. Mrs Best is one of those who have contributed to the ‘Sea of Remembrance’ a poignant garden tribute to those remembered.
Mrs Best explained: “The Sea of Remembrance is a lovely way to remember those who are missed. I was more than happy to write my message on one of the flags and send it to the kind people at the Sailors’ Society who will plant it for me, along with plenty of others, at Trinity Gardens in London. It’s unfortunate that I cannot attend the service myself but this is the next best thing and is a really lovely tribute.”
Mrs Best’s own message reads: ‘My husband died 11 years ago but was a seafarer for 42 years and took part in the Falklands War with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary; I admire all the Merchant Navy.’
Mrs Best, who has five grandchildren, added: “My husband’s ashes are actually scattered on the Mersey in recognition of his service on board many ships. He would not recognise the place these days but I understand that life for seafarers, not just coming into Merseyside but across the world, and their families is just as tough as it was back then. It was really difficult being both a mother and father to my children with John away so much, I even remember we had to arrange our wedding around his time at sea and he nearly didn’t make it back! We wouldn’t have changed it for the world though, but I really do have an appreciation of the sacrifices seafarers make.”
For more information of the Sailors’ Society’s involvement in Merchant Navy Day and to receive a ‘Sea of Remembrance’ flag log on to the website linked below or call 023 8051 5950.