Today , 3rd of September is Merchant Navy Day, ex MN have been
commemerating fallen shipmates.
War was declared on 3rd of September 1939 (as you all know)
A couple of hours later the MV Athenia was torpedoed in the Western
with the loss of 112 souls. men women and children, including 18 of the crew,
the youngest,a bell boy was aged 15, most were from Glagow (Crew) among the passengers lost were a number of Americans.
My poem for those lost at sea.
FALLEN HEROES - A TRIBUTE TO ALL SEAMEN
They lie beneath the turbulent seas in the cold and darkened deep
Captured in the prime of life they lay as though in sleep
Victims of the battle and the mighty storm
Patiently they lie there, awaiting Gabriel's Horn
They fought a war to end all wars so their people could be free
And paid the ultimate sacrifice and were claimed by the cruel sea
They answered the call so gallantly when our country went to war
And now lie side by side with heroes who have gone before
There are no markers where they lay but above them the rolling waves
For these are the heroes who went down to the sea who lie in watery graves
They sailed the perilous oceans to all parts of the world
Some were sunk in convoy, proud battle flags unfurled
Of all the people I have known there have been none finer
Than those who crewed the humble fishing boat to the Ocean Liner
Their exploits are written in history and surely 'tis well read
Of these men who went to sea in ships neath ensigns of white and blue and red.
